One to Watch Interview with 2022 Chaminade DB Duhron Goodman
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Time has proven, one can never give up on an Ed Croson coached football team and the players on his roster. The Chaminade Eagles’ head coach has been a mainstay in the Los Angeles area as a leader on the sidelines since the 1998 season earning his way as one of the area’s best. Croson led teams are not only well-coached, but the players are developed to perform at an elite level. The 2019 season had a tough start with an 0-2 beginning and an end of the regular season 5-5 record, but what is missing is the development of the team throughout the season bringing along underclassmen talent like Duhron Goodman to a championship-caliber level.
The Eagles have now won five consecutive games, one by forfeit (San Clemente), and are on the doorstep of a CIF trophy lining up against Sierra Canyon on Friday. The process to this point has taken patience, and that steady hand of guidance by Croson and staff which is paying off with rising stars like Goodman. The 5-9, 170-pound, sophomore has worked his way into a starting role at corner for the Eagles and moves to safety in different packages showing his versatility against the run and the pass. In stats posted through 10 games, Goodman has showcased his speed and athleticism by stopping 33 plays, 24 by himself, with a tackle for a loss, an interception, and broke up six passes.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s top newcomers to the Division I classification covering the growth in his game and the Eagles’ march to the championship round of the playoffs.
Interview
Duhron, the Eagles are always tough under head coach Ed Croson. From the start of the season through the run so far in the playoffs, what has the ride been like for you?
“It has been a good ride. Every game has been close, and we have come together as a team.”
As an underclassman, how did the coaches work you into the defense this season?
“They worked me out slow, but have worked me out well. I am starting now. I am in all our different packages in the defense.”
Where are you lining up within the defensive scheme and what coverages are you guys executing?
“We run a lot of Cover 3 or 2 and some in man, but they have me at DB then. In zone coverage, I am playing monster or strong safety.”
How did you prepare in the offseason for the 2019 schedule?
“I worked hard over the offseason. I did a lot of personal DB training, played 7v7 with Formula 4 Speed, and I went to a lot of camps.”
Did you do the extra DB training with the coaches from Formula 4 Speed?
“Yes, sir.”
How did training with Formula 4 Speed help push your game forward allowing you to do what you are doing on the field this season?
“It helped a lot. I got to see how fast the game really is. I got to see how high school football works; it is a lot different from youth football. I also learned how to better focus on the field.”
In the Mission League, there are a lot of very talented quarterbacks and receivers you guys have gone up against. How have all these challenges made you a better defender?
“My game has improved baiting the QB. If I am guarding my man, he will not throw it like a youth QB would. The extra work in the offseason helped me with that.”
What do you now feel are the strengths to your game?
“The strengths to my game are speed and technique. We play against a lot of five- and four-star receivers; even the quarterbacks are shifty in our league. You have to have technique and speed to guard the receivers and keep the quarterbacks contained.”
The playoffs have been a wild one for the Eagles winning two games by a total of three points. It must be thrilling. How has the team looked in the two wins?
“We look good. We gone into halftime with the mindset that the score is 0-0 and playing hard in the second half. We are coming out with the win. We are doing well.”
Duhron, thanks for your time today and wishing you and the team success in the championship game against Sierra Canyon.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Chaminade HS/Goodman family; Duhron Goodman