Quarterback Michael Goggin just what the Lake City Timberwolves needed
![Lake City senior quarterback Michael Goggin was the final piece to the puzzle for the Timberwolves. (Kathy Plonka)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/uO6q6eDqVn9RLDznlEJuDvMVKgE=/600x0/media.spokesman.com/graphics/2018/07/sr-loader.png)
Lake City quarterback Michael Goggin has broken three regular-season passing records and has a chance to break overall season marks if the Timberwolves play deep into the postseason.
Goggin said it’s easy to point out why he’s had such an impact in his first year as the starter. Look around, he said.
He’s benefitted from the talents of multiple weapons – Jerry Louie-McGee, Connor Newby, Brandon Dotson, Colin Hunter and Zach Weadick, to name the obvious ones.
And then there are his offensive linemen, who have done a marvelous job keeping Goggin off his back.
“I have the best offensive linemen in the state,” Goggin said. “They’ve kept the pressure off me.”
Goggin adeptly avoids praise like he’s sidestepping would-be tacklers. This is a team thing to him.
Going into the summer, the competition for starting quarterback revolved around Goggin, Hunter and Drew Shipley. They were all talented athletes whom coach Van Troxel knew had to be on the field in some capacity.
Those capacities became clear after summer camp. Goggin earned the starting job but shared time early with Hunter. Going into the fourth game, against Shadle Park, all the snaps were going to Goggin, Hunter had landed at receiver and Shipley found a good home at safety.
Still, the 6-foot-3 Goggin has exceeded most expectations.
Troxel said he’s the best quarterback LC has had since Garren Hammons, who happened to lead the undefeated 2006 team.
“Michael does a good job getting the ball to the right person,” Troxel said. “He’s a blue-collar quarterback. He’s not flashy but just very dependable. He makes good decisions, works hard and gets results.”
Lake City (8-1) had a first-round bye last week when playoffs kicked off in Idaho. The T-Wolves are home Friday against Capital (8-2).
Goggin knew he had to improve his speed. He said he was slower than an offensive lineman as a sophomore.
He turned out for track. Troxel is an assistant coach in track, because it allows him to spend time with his football players who don’t do another spring sport. He requires his players to turn out for track if they’re not doing something else.
Goggin doesn’t possess breakaway speed, but he’s improved enough that teams must account for him on the read option.
He’s learned a valuable lesson as LC’s quarterback. Troxel has one rule for his quarterbacks.
“He says give it (to the running back) until they take it away,” Goggin said.
One of Goggin’s best games came against the quarterback considered the best in the Pacific Northwest – Brett Rypien of Shadle Park.
Goggin completed 17 of 24 attempts for 208 yards and two touchdowns as LC handled Shadle 56-34. Rypien completed 25 of 53 for 487 yards. He had four TD passes but also three interceptions.
“Next to Chad (Troxel’s oldest son), Michael reads the option as well as anybody I’ve had,” Troxel said.
Troxel’s program, which dates to when the school opened its doors in 1994, rewards seniors if they’re equal to underclassmen.
Goggin’s statistics belie the fact he earned the job. He’s completed 120 of 169 passes (a school-record 71 percent) for 1,883 yards (school record) and 15 touchdowns. He has eight interceptions, three of which were long throws deep before halftime when LC could have punted.
“It’s the best efficiency we’ve ever had,” Troxel said.
He’s also rushed for 400 yards and six TDs. His total offense, 2,283, is also a school record.
Troxel figured Goggin was the X factor coming into the season. Other players were proven, but nobody knew about Goggin.
“That’s why we were able to close the gap,” Troxel said.
Goggin was relaxed going into the season.
“I didn’t feel any pressure,” he said. “Nobody really knew who I was. There were no expectations for me.”
Goggin emphasized that the sum is more important than the parts.
“We play as one,” he said. “We’re not a bunch of individuals. There’s not anybody that’s in it for themselves.”