One of the Hornets’ record-breaking players will soon become a Blueboy.
Jaxon Goforth announced his commitment last week to Illinois College. Goforth will be a wide receiver for the college’s football team.
“I thought it was a good fit for me after I visited. At the end of this year, I knew that football was best for me,” said Goforth, who was a two-sport varsity starter for both the football and basketball teams.
Hornets Head Coach Stephen Kozuszek said Goforth has a proven track record on the field and could prove to be a valuable player for IC with his height and good ball skills.
“I think they are getting a receiver with a lot of potential,” he said. “I think that his length is something that drew them to him and with that comes his athleticism. You will see 6’5” or 6’6” guys but a lot of the times they are awkward and can’t move. [Jaxon]’s not like that.”
Kozuszek said Goforth improved each year, and by the time he became an upperclassman, the receiver was a consistent starter who consistently put up big numbers for Nashville.
“You look at the record books, and his name is all over it as far as the receiver position,” he said. “It was special to me, him being my nephew, that was something special too. I was glad to get the opportunity to coach him, and I’m really happy that we had the opportunity to play this spring and watch them have the success even though it wasn’t what everyone wanted.”
Goforth has gone down in the record books as one of the most outstanding receivers in school history. He was also part of the 2019 team that captured the runner-up state trophy.
With the additional challenges surrounding the past year, Kozuszek said the key was to try to maintain focus and remain optimistic for a season that at times did not seem like it was going to happen.
“The biggest thing was to keep them motivated,” he said. “At times it felt like we were stringing them along. At different points in the fall and the early winter, I didn’t think we were going to get to play. You really felt like you were feeding them false hope. You can’t lead on like that. You have to do everything you can to make you believe you are going to get to play.”
Goforth said he learned several lessons during his high school career that he will be taking with him to playing in college.
“Always give it your all no matter what,” he said. “Always be a good teammate and treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Goforth said he plans to study accounting. He will also be roommates with fellow Hornet Buzz Ritzel, who signed to play basketball for IC earlier this spring.
Joining Jaxon at his signing were his parents, Tifanie and Travis Schmale and Freddy and Deitt Goforth; sisters, Belle Schmale and Ryan Goforth; NCHS Athletic Director Alicia Heggemeier; Hornets Head Coach Stephen Kozuszek; and Assistant Coach Chris Goforth.
Pictured with Jaxon Goforth are his family and NCHS staff and coaches.
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