JF's Goode is better than good

Jefferson Forest is known for playing a physical brand of football.

This year, one of the Cavaliers’ smallest players has been shouldering the bulk of the offensive load.

Running back Desmond Goode is listed at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds on Forest’s roster. (In reality, he’s closer to 5-8.) Still, the determined senior has proven difficult to take down, rushing 65 times for 506 yards (7.9 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, helping to spur JF to a 3-0 start.

“Desmond is a quiet leader,” Cavaliers coach Don Rice said. “He doesn’t say a lot. He just works really hard. When he makes a good run in practice or a game, the first thing he does is come back and congratulate the offensive line. He makes sure to include everyone.”

Jefferson Forest makes no secret about its rugged ways. The Cavaliers want to play tough defense and smashmouth football behind a physical offensive line.

“We’re a hard-nosed football team,” Goode said. “It’s always been that way and it’s not going to change. We like to run the football. We’ve got a good O-line and good fullbacks so there is no reason not to run the football.”

“We do what we do and are what we are,” Rice added. “Our game plan is not a secret. We are going to try to grind it out and it’s going to be physical.”

So far, Forest hasn’t needed to do anything else. The Cavaliers have given up just six points (on a punt return for a touchdown), 154 yards and five first downs in their past two wins over Rockbridge County and E.C. Glass.

Goode rushed for 197 yards and four scores against the Golden Eagles, 169 yards and two touchdowns against the Wildcats and 140 yards and another TD against the Hilltoppers.

What makes his stats even more impressive is that he splits carries with sophomore Rashad Hall, basically rotating in and out of the game on every other play.

“Sometimes, when they call my number on consecutive plays I can feel a little fatigue, but with him coming in and giving me a breather, I can tell the difference between the plays.” Goode said.

After sitting out as a sophomore, Goode had a solid junior season, rushing for a little more than 500 yards. Rice attributes his early-season success this fall to his more aggressive running style.

“Desmond learned last year that he’s got to hit the hole full-speed and make one cut,” Rice said. “After that, he understands that when he’s in open space, he’s an athlete and he has got some moves. His ability to decelerate and accelerate is really good.”

Goode has stayed ahead of the learning curve since adjusting to the varsity game as a junior.

“Last year, I was learning the varsity scheme and getting used to the varsity level,” he said. “Now that I have that experience, I’m able to do a few more things. This year, I’m making sure that I’m attacking the line.”

Another part of Goode’s success has been the Cavaliers’ offensive linemen, as well as tight end Dustin Engledove and fullbacks Tyler Rosser and Andrew Brown.

“(Goode) understands he’s not doing this by himself,” Rice said. “He knows that he’s getting some of it on his own downfield, but he knows that the first three yards (are coming from them).”

Tonight, Jefferson Forest faces its biggest test to date when Pulaski County comes to town. The Cavaliers know they can’t afford to take any week off with the bulk of their Seminole District schedule coming up, including consecutive games at Heritage, at home against Brookville and at Amherst.

JF also has trip to Bassett on Oct. 24 before hosting Bedford County rival Liberty in the regular-season finale.

“I like (playing a tough schedule),” Goode said. “It keeps us on our toes. Playing good football teams brings out good competition and people like to see that.”

The Cavaliers may be taking the season one week at a time, but they are also keeping in mind their final goal.

“The state (title) is one of our main objectives,” Goode said. “It should be every team’s goal. We have one of the best teams in our area and it would be a shame to think that we couldn’t win the state championship.”