Goebel Takes Time, Chooses Murray State

The following article appeared in the Feb. 8, 2007 edition of the Evansville Courier & Press.

By Dave Johnson

Murray State University first offered Zach Goebel a football scholarship in September.

The Mater Dei High School standout wasn't quite ready to commit, though.

"This is such a big decision - a decision that will be with me the rest of my life," said Goebel. "I didn't want to commit that early because so many other schools were involved."

Western Kentucky, Indiana State, Illinois State and Wyoming were among the other schools recruiting The Courier & Press' 2006 All-Metro Player of the Year.

However, Murray State ultimately won out. Goebel signed a national letter of intent with the Ohio Valley Conference school on Wednesday. He said the Racers recruited him to play defensive end or tight end.

"I'm really happy with my decision," said the 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior, who played quarterback and linebacker in leading Mater Dei to an 11-3 record this past season. "There's no other school that could be better for me than this one. It's definitely a I-AA program that's on the rise and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Goebel said he decided on the Racers after a visit to their Murray, Ky., campus in mid-January.

"Once I went there, I really liked it. I like the coaches, and the facilities are second to none.

"I came back home and slept on it for one night and decided, 'I want to be a Racer.' "

Goebel was one of 18 players Murray State landed on Wednesday. Another is Antoinne Lightfoot, an all-state wide receiver from Henderson County High School.

Murray State lost seven starters, five offensive and two defensive, from last year's team that finished 1-10 in Matt Griffin's first season as head coach. It also lost five other players from its two-deep depth chart.

Griffin took the Racers job in December of 2005 after rebuilding the football program at Tennessee-Martin. He replaced Joe Pannunzio after Murray went a combined 13-21 from 2003 to 2005.

"Coach Griffin is a coach with a lot of promise, a coach who will definitely be moving up the ladder," said Mike Goebel, Zach's father and the Mater Dei football coach. "It's good to see him recruiting in the (Tri-State) neighborhood."

As a linebacker, Goebel set school records for first-hit tackles, total tackles, tackles for a loss and blocked kicks while helping the Wildcats go 29-9 in three seasons. As a quarterback this year, he threw for 2,550 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Goebel finished his high school football career by being selected as Indiana's best linebacker by the state's coaches and earning all-state honors.

He said it doesn't matter which position he plays - defensive end or tight end - or if he plays right away.

"Whatever they want me to do, I'll do. I know I need to improve my speed and I also need to put on some muscle, so I'll be hitting the weight room hard."

Both of his parents were pleased with Goebel's decision.

"Selfishly, I'm glad he's staying close to home," Mike Goebel said with a smile.

Said his mother, Mary Ann: "Eighteen years have gone by very fast, but this makes me very happy. I'm originally from Mayfield (Ky.). I can make that drive with my eyes closed."

Murray State University Athletics

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