By Marilyn Miller
Soccer has been in the news a lot lately…people heard about it even if they weren’t tuned in to their favorite Sports stations to watch the FIFA World Cub 2026 tournament, which culminated in Spain overcoming Argentina in the world cup finals in New York/New Jersey.
Carter Barnett, who has been appointed head coach for the Minden High School Soccer team, started out playing recreational soccer at The Rec. He began playing the organized version of the sport in 8th grade, the first year that soccer was adopted at Webster Jr. High School. Then he played for four years at Minden High School before graduating in 2022.
He earned his coaching experience helping his dad, Wes Barnett, coach soccer at the junior high level. Then he assisted with coaching at Ruston High School, while attending Louisiana Tech University. I spent more time at Ruston High School than I did at Tech,” Carter said.
Carter graduated from LTU in 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. In addition to soccer, he will be teaching American History at MHS.
Coach Carter’s squad has been “going pretty hard” for practice three times a week for the past two months. And, yes, they do sprints!! Even in the heat!
When November rolls around, Coach Barnett’s team will be tested as a unit for the first time. A few starters are back for another year, but for the most part, the team is in a rebuilding phase. Like Carter did during his high school years, some of his current soccer players will be playing football as well.
“Growing up, I played everything. Then in high school I played football, tennis, golf, soccer, and during the summer, swimming competitively for the Aquatic Club in Minden,” Coach Barnett said.
So, is soccer the most challenging sport he has played?
“It’s more about what challenges exist playing a sport on a team with other high school athletes,” Coach Barnett said. “Working together with anybody is hard. Physically and emotionally tiring. It’s a tool – we preach respect, teamwork, responsibility…it’s not like there’s going to be (an abundance of) phenoms in soccer after high school). But you tell me if you’re not going to be there (for practice or a game). Showing up together is important.”
“We expect you not to lash out – there are consequences for that. Emotional control is BIG!”
Soccer is a rough sport, Carter admits, with a lot of shoving, hitting and grabbing. “But it’s my philosophy that if I have not taught you properly, I can’t expect you to do it. We’ve gone over the fundamentals for the past few months. And they are driven,” he said. “It’s a style of play versus set plays…the ball is always moving. You reassess on the fly. Think fast.”
Coach Carter is very focused on bringing stability to the team, since last year the team saw three different head coaches. “And right now the team doesn’t have consistency…I’ve got four out practicing football. But I’m going to be here for my team fulltime,” he pledged. “I have a lot of love for this place.”
He also has a great staff coaching with him, including his dad.
Though he and his wife, Mallory Pesnell Barnett, have settled in Ruston, they both have a love for Minden High School, their alma maters. “I have a great relationship with Coach Heard (football). We’ve had discussions. We worked out how we were going do things through the year. His son was my roommate in college.”
Coach Carter & Mallory Barnett have very close ties to the Minden community. His parents are Wes & Jamie Barnett and he has a sister, Lexi Barnett. His grandparents are Margie Barnett and Roger & Judy Grubbs. He has a cousin, Camden Grubbs, a sophomore who is on his team. Mallory’s parents are Dan & Amanda Pesnell, and she has a sister, Maggie Pesnell, who plays soccer for the Crimson Tide ladies. Her grandparents are Joe & Jean Chatman. All are of Minden.
Carter & Mallory are heavily involved in the Calvary Baptist Church of Ruston. They do everything from cooking for events to playing their guitars and singing. Carter also plays the piano. “We do whatever they need,” Carter said.
The Minden High School Soccer team does have a Booster Club. For information on the team’s needs, schedules of play, etc., contact Brian Glover.
Coach Carter says he is “thankful for the Booster Club, and also expressed thanks to Mallory, his dad, and MHS Principal Ben Bower.”
