ICC names starting QB for East Central opener
“It was an intense battle between our three freshmen for the starting job,” said Williams. “At the end of the day we felt like Andrew does a great job of rallying the team around him and hopefully that type of leadership will show up during the game.”
ICC names starting QB for East Central opener
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
FULTON, MS -- Itawamba Community College head football coach Jon Williams announced freshman Andrew Goodman as the starting quarterback heading into the Indians' season opener at East Central Community College.
"It was an intense battle between our three freshmen for the starting job," said Williams. "At the end of the day we felt like Andrew does a great job of rallying the team around him and hopefully that type of leadership will show up during the game."
Goodman threw for 2,850 yards and 36 touchdowns and 8 interceptions during his senior campaign to helped lead Mallard Creek (13-1) to the North Carolina Class 4AA Regional Semifinals. That season they also defeated powerhouse and defending North Carolina state champion Butler High School to snap the nation's longest winning streak.
The 6'2, 215 lb. quarterback starting drawing national notoriety during his sophomore season at First Assembly Christian in Concord, NC when he pass for 1,229 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 647 yards and 13 touchdowns to help the Eagles (10-2) advance to the state championship game.
Goodman had an offer from Western Michigan with interest shown from Wake Forest, Virginia, Minnesota, Illinois State and Charlotte before ultimately deciding to join the ICC football program in hopes to raise his stock in the eyes of football coaches across the nation.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity," said Goodman. "This league is the toughest in the nation and I wanted to be a part of it to prove that I can play amongst the nation's best players. The tradition of players that have had the opportunity to play on the next level and how they prepare players on the field and in the classroom to be successful on the next level really made we want to be part of ICC."
Mooreville's Griff Loftis will be second on the depth chart for the Indians and Chase Watson of Saltillo will be a redshirt this season.
"I can't say enough about how Griff and Chase battled for the starting job," Williams said. "We really feel like when Andrew or Griff are in the ball game we definitely have a chance to win because they are both very similar in talent and leadership."
"Chase will still be a vital part of our team this season and is already working hard to continue to learn the offensive and prepare himself for next season," Williams said. "That says a lot about his character and is a great example of the type of guys we are looking to build our program around."
ICC will open the 2012 season on the road against East Central on August 30 and will return home the following week for their home opener against Southwest Mississippi Community College.