While he was unable to play the entire season due to injury, senior Jeremiah Goodwin was a menace to opposing offenses all year long and that has earned him the Owensboro Times 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.
“It means a lot to me [to receive this award],” Goodwin said. “I practice relentlessly everyday to get better and to be the best my senior year is something special.
The senior played in nine games, recording 52 total tackles—leading the team with 36 solo tackles to go along with 16 assisted tackles—while 18 of those tackles were for a loss. Goodwin forced three fumbles this season as well, while also nabbing a barrage of sacks using his athleticism.
“Not letting the lineman get their hands on me early and use my speed and strength combination to get around them [was key this year],” Goodwin said. “My goal was to beat my sack record from last year (13), but I came up short due to an injury and I only had 11. But it’s alright.”
Goodwin said that his coaches pushing him, teammates competing alongside him and support from his brothers, mom, grandparents and God have all played huge parts in the football player he has become and is beyond thankful.
Jeremiah was a part of a senior class that will forever be remembered in Owensboro football history, owning a career record of 65-8 to go along with four straight region titles. He said that he is proud of what he and his fellow Red Devils accomplished, as he made sure to cherish this season and is thankful for the brotherhood he and his teammates will always have.
“Well what I did was when we were walking out to run to the sideline I would stand and do a turn to take in the scenery before every game,” Goodwin said. “So that’s something I’ll remember… It was like a second family to me. We all watched each other grow up while playing with each other. Our class’ bond is something few senior classes have.”
