Wayne Valley senior quarterback Nick Goodwin (14) rushed for 96 yards and a TD on 10 carries Friday night, in addition to throwing four TD passes during a 37-0 win against Passaic Valley in Wayne. (PHOTO: MICHAEL KARAS/The Record)
WAYNE – Coach Roger Kotlarz expected Nick Goodwin to get off to a strong start to his senior season.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Goodwin was extremely efficient while running Wayne Valley’s offense during their four preseason scrimmages and appeared in complete control under center. He continued that trend when the Indians opened their regular season Friday night.
Goodwin, in his second season as Wayne Valley’s starting quarterback, completed 13 of 15 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns and wasn’t intercepted in the Indians’ 37-0 victory over Passaic Valley. He also ran for 96 yards on 10 carries, including a 36-yard touchdown.
“There are guys that are obviously more highly touted or whatever it might be,” Kotlarz said. “But let me tell you something – Nick Goodwin, as a high school quarterback in a good conference [Big North], I’ve got to tell you, I couldn’t ask for a different kid.
“He’s perfect. He’s evenly balanced. He’s across-the-board good at all different dynamics. He can run, he’s a good leader, he can throw, he’s strong. He’s a really nice, balanced kid. And for us, that’s something we preach all the time, that we want to be balanced on offense. He’s the perfect guy to be running it. Perfect. … He’s got a really good command of the offense, he really does.”
Goodwin completed 60 percent of his passes (110 for 183) for 1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions in 10 games for the 5-5 Indians last season. He rushed for 378 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries as a junior, too.
Goodwin has drawn interest mostly from Division III schools thus far, but coaches from FCS programs in the Patriot League also have inquired about him.