Anyone that knows Owensboro’s Austin Gough knows two things – he loves football but more importantly, he loves being a Red Devil.
It’s a combination of the two that make Gough dominate on the gridiron as he helped OHS to its first KHSAA Class 5A State Championship appearance since 2014.
Despite not reaching their ultimate goal, the Red Devils have nothing to hang their heads for this season as they battled until the final whistle of during the final against Bowling Green.
“I’m so proud,” Gough said of this season. “In June, we didn’t know if we were going to have a season and we finish at the top. A state championship is a hard thing to get to anyway and we did it in the hardest year our country has seen in a while.”
It’s Gough’s leadership, tenacity and his ability to make those around him better that make him the Owensboro Times Defensive Player of the Year.
Gough’s been through a lot during his time as a Red Devil. From the team’s worst season during his freshman year to an junior cutting his junior season in half, it’s beena. wild ride for Gough and his teammates.
He said the struggles have made him who he is.
“When I went to kids camp at OHS, I saw what it meant to be a Red Devil,” he said. “Since, I’ve wanted to leave my mark on this program and city, and truly it’s been the best four years of my life. I have loved every second of it with my brothers.”
Gough’s dominance on the field starts with his intensity. From practices to games, Gough can be seen getting himself pumped up, as well as his teammates.
“I hold myself to a standard,” he said. “That’s not just in football but everything in life. Game to game, year to year, I want to outdo my last performance.”
Owensboro had several seniors that made an impact on both sides of the ball this season. From the line, to the receivers to the defensive backs, Red Devil leaders made their presence known all season.
Gough said his teammates are a big reason he pushes himself the way he does.
“My guys mean everything to me. I’d jump in front of a train for them,” he said. “Coming in this year, knowing how young our defense was going to be, I had a goal to spread and spill as much knowledge of our defense to life to the younger guys to help them help themselves and this program. Never be afraid to mess up, never lower your standards, and keep confidence, and you’ll be successful.”
With his senior year now over, Gough is still looking for his next landing spot and like most things in 2020, Covid-19 has become a factor in that choice.
“Sadly, I’ve lost a few scholarships because of Covid and schools granting extra years of eligibility,” he said. “Therefore, schools physically have no money to give toward 2021 scholarships. I’m praying something will come a long but I believe God’s got a plan behind it all.”
Gough has seen and played in a lot of games at Rash Stadium during his time at Owensboro and before he officially became a Red Devil.
When asked what being a Red Devil meant to him, Gough said it’s everything he’s been taught during his last four years as he walked the halls of Owensboro High School.
“It is pride, tradition, and family,” he said. “Every Friday you don’t just suit up for your guys in the locker room. You do it for every class before you and every class that’s coming up behind you. Truly, a tradition of excellence.”
