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Jett Goldsberry's passion and drive have Heritage Hills on track for a championship

No one can question Jett Goldsberry’s dedication.

Jett Goldsberry

Since getting an opportunity to run the show for the Heritage Hills High football team, the 6-foot, 195-pound junior signal caller has been true to the red, white, and blue.

"After losing (35-7) last year (to Indianapolis Bishop Chatard) in the (Class 3A) state championship game, I got right back to work with (Heritage Hills assistant) Coach (Lukas) Messmer and (Heritage Hills head) Coach (Todd) Wilkerson," explained Goldsberry. "I spent 1,000's of hours putting in work to improve my speed and strength. I spent a lot of time in the weight room and on the track putting in work necessary to make me better."

The results speak for themselves as Goldsberry has proven to be force on both sides of the field for the Patriots.

In addition to completing 88-of-149 for 1,507 yards with 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions, he has also carried the ball 129 times for 1,418 yards with 23 scores.

From his spot in the secondary, he has also contributed 42 tackles with three for loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks, and an interception.

"The main thing I learned this season is that we need to stay mentally focused throughout each practice," Goldsberry said. "At this point, it's win or go home in the rest of the games, so we have to give it our all each and every play."

It didn't take long for Jett to establish his passion and desire for athletics.

"I started participating at a very young age, " recalled Goldsberry. "In pre-school, I started playing little league, T-ball, and soccer. Then, I went on to play football, soccer, baseball, track, basketball, and wrestling throughout my elementary school days."

Among his role models growing up was his father, former Heritage Hills all-state performer Jon Goldsberry, who went on to play fullback and linebacker at Purdue and then had stints in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"A big influence in my life are my coaches and my parents," explained Goldsberry. "They all push me towards being a better athlete and person in my life. I'd say they all helped in different ways to make me the athlete I am today."

Prior to this season, he went 79-of-180 for 1,486 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, ran 218 times for 1,583 yards with 26 scores, recorded 54 tackles with five for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions.

Watching Jett mature into a leader has certainly been satisfying for Coach Wilkerson.

"Jett is one of the most talented athletes I've ever coached," explained Wilkerson. "He is the type of player who is never satisfied with his current strength or speed, and is constantly working to improve both.

"His intensity on the field is extraordinary, which is quite a feat since he starts at both quarterback and safety for us and rarely gets a break on Friday night. He understands he needs to continue to push himself to improve in order to achieve his dream to play college football."

Goldsberry appreciates what his field boss has done for him.

"It's been great playing for Coach Wilkerson," Goldsberry said. "He leads you to better things and always wants the best for you. He has impacted me by teaching me to stay calm under stressful situations in big time games. He is a very good coach and leader for me and my teammates."

Knowing that every opponent is coming after you with their best effort week after week is something that Jett has learned to deal with.

"I would like to think I handle stress pretty well," explained Goldsberry. "I sometimes get over the top stressed, but then when I calm down. I just think to myself it's me vs. my opponent. Then, I lock in and I'm perfectly fine."

Following the same routine in his preparation has paid off as well.

"I do pretty much the same thing every week and try not to switch up what I do," Goldsberry said. "Mentally, I just tell myself all the time that I'm good enough to be in this game and good enough to make big plays for my team which helps me a lot."

This was evident on November 15 in the Patriots' 50-7 win over North Harrison in the Class 3A regional final when he scampered 67 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

It came after his squad upset No. 1 Evansville Memorial, 38-24, on November 8 to claim the Class 3A Sectional 32 crown.

"It was great," recalled Goldsberry. "The vibes and atmosphere of my teammates all celebrating together and listening to our loudspeaker playing all the music was just a great feeling and time."

His commitment also extends to the classroom where he currently has a 3.75 grade-point average.

"I spend some time with my buddies on the weekends for some of my classes to gain better knowledge of each of my classes," Goldsberry said. "I also do my academic homework after my football practices in the evenings."

Knowing he still has another year with the Patriots, he realizes he has time to improve his stock before heading off to play at the next level.

"I feel like definitely getting downhill when I run the ball and getting that extra yard when needed is what I am best at," explained Goldsberry "If we need a big play, that's also what I'm best at. There's always work needed, but I think I need to improve delivering the ball a little earlier in the passing game.

"My goals and aspirations for my future are definitely to play college football somewhere at the (NCAA) D-1 level and to study business and find a career I enjoy."

However, his focus right now is trying to make it back to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Jett can make this a reality if No. 3 Heritage Hills (12-1) takes care of business against visiting Batesville (9-3) in the Class 3A southern semistate at "The Jungle" on November 22.

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