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Features July 28, 2023

On The Rise

If you didn’t know who Clark Barnes was before Sunday, you certainly do now.

The rookie receiver had five receptions for 87 yards and his first career CFL score to go along with 110 yards in kick returns against Ottawa in the Stamps last outing.

After six games as a pro, Barnes says it’s all he could have asked for to be able to contribute this early into his career.

“It’s been great, that was my goal and my vision,” he said. “Seeing myself fulfill the vision, it’s still not done, but seeing that it’s all coming into place has been great honestly. It’s been a dream come true.”

He also knows that there is more to be done as he strives to be even better.

“Every week I’m seeing where I could be better for sure,” he explained. “Every week I’m gaining more confidence and getting more comfortable so it’s been pretty good, but I’m still looking to improve for sure.”

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The former Guelph Gryphon has had some help from the group around him as he continues to be one of the top rookies in the CFL. He’s thankful for the guys that have helped him adapt so quickly.

“It’s been great right from day one,” Barnes said. “Getting beside guys like Reggie (Begelton), Malik (Henry) and Marken (Michel), Tre (Odoms-Dukes) has been big for me too, probably the biggest for me playbook wise. Those guys have been awesome. I’ve never really been in a situation where I’m learning from a lot of players around me back in university, so being around these guys and just soaking it all in has been awesome.”

Barnes and the Stamps offence have put up big numbers in back-to-back games after a bit of a slow start to the season. He says you can feel the group getting better each and every week.

“The chemistry has been a lot better,” he said.  “Everybody is happy, well not happy with the last loss, but we’re confident knowing that we can go out there and do it. We always knew we could do it but seeing it happen and actually doing it is different for your confidence so we’re confident and we’re having more fun.”

The Stamps take on the Alouettes on Sunday at 5 p.m. as both teams look to get back in the win column.

Barnes says it’s all about focus when it comes to continuing the offence’s recent string of success.

“We’ve just got to focus really,” he said. “We know we have the talent and everything we need to go out there and do great so focus, lock it in and execute.”