Andrew Goveia has finally found a home.
After spending the first couple of years experimenting at different positions on the football field, the Chesterton High senior has now taken up residency in the Trojans' backfield.
"I've never been afraid of contact, so I feel like my strongest strengths are my patience and ability to fight for extra yards," explained the 6-foot-2, 210-pound running back. "All of the hard work I put in during the off-season is finally paying off for me."
Given an opportunity to show off his skills toward the end of the 2023 season because of injuries, Goveia made quite an impression by running 65 times for 271 yards.
This good fortune has carried over into his junior campaign as he rambled 231 times for 1,198 with nine touchdowns.
"My offensive line has done a great job and deserves all of the credit," explained Goveia. "We are all really united on the field and are friends off the field. Most of us have been playing together since middle school and some even before then."
This year, he has picked up right where he left off with over 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He is one of the main reasons why the Trojans have run off four straight wins and find themselves in the hunt for their first Duneland Athletic Conference title since 2015.
"Andrew's success as a runner comes from a combination of natural athleticism, relentless effort, and strong football intelligence," explained Chesterton head football coach Mark Peterson. "He has excellent field vision, allowing him to read blocks and find running lanes effectively. Andrew runs with toughness and confidence between the tackles, consistently finishing runs behind his shoulder pads and falling forward for extra yards. His physical style, paired with his instincts and competitiveness, makes him a dependable and productive runner who sets the tone for our offense."
The 13th-year field general knew early on Goveia had some talent.
It was just a matter of utilizing them in the right way.
"Andrew and I have developed a strong and steady relationship that has grown throughout his high school career," recalled Peterson. "When he first entered the program, he began as a quarterback in our triple-option offense and remained at that position through his freshman year. By the start of his sophomore season, we began experimenting with him at safety, where he immediately showed a natural instinct for the game. He never shied away from contact and played with the confidence and toughness of an upperclassman.
"By week five, due to injuries at the running back position, we discussed another potential move, this time to running back. Andrew accepted the change without hesitation and fully embraced the new role, finding immediate success. Through these transitions, our relationship has continued to grow based on mutual trust and respect. I know I can always count on Andrew to give his absolute best effort every time he steps on the field."
Andrew's passion for athletics began at an early age.
"It seems like forever now because I've been playing football since the first grade," recalled Goveia. "I'm the youngest, so the rest of my family, especially my dad, were huge influences for me. They taught me to always play hard and compete. As for football, my main role model was (former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles running back) Jay Ajayi."
In addition to the gridiron, he also competes on the baseball team, where he had a .213 batting average with 13 runs batted in this past spring.
"I feel like there is a lot of reactive movement that comes from baseball that I also use in football," explained Goveia. "One skill in football that helps with baseball is the mental side of the sport. I try to focus on the next play and not get stuck up on what just happened."
Along with the coaching staff, he credits his teammates for keeping him level-headed.
"I really look up to my coaches and respect them because of all the knowledge that they have, and in general just enjoy being around them," Goveia said. "I also look up to (senior defensive lineman) Colin Kellogg because he really inspires me to be my best every day. He always has a great attitude coming into practice and we always go at it every single day."
Peterson has also witnessed Goveia's maturity on and off the field.
"Andrew has naturally grown into a leadership role through his work ethic, consistency, and example," Peterson. "He has built strong relationships across the entire roster, especially with his offensive linemen, who trust and respect him deeply. His positive attitude and ability to connect with teammates have earned him the respect of both players and coaches. This season, Andrew was selected as a team captain because of the rapport, trust, and respect he has established with everyone in the program. His leadership comes not from words alone, but from the way he consistently represents the standard of what it means to be a Chesterton football player."
Goveia hopes his continued development allows him the opportunity to perform somewhere next fall.
"I have aspirations of playing at the highest level of college football I can," said Goveia, who currently has a 3.1 grade-point average and wants to major in marketing. "If that is going to happen, though, I believe I still need to work on my speed. That will be a pivotable part of my growth, which is why I have been working really hard on improving that this season."
Along with a DAC title, Goveia and company also would love to claim the program's first sectional crown in football.
"We've been close in recent years and unfortunately, come up short each time," recalled Peterson. "It's going to take a complete team effort from every player, coach, and phase of the game. In a sectional that is evenly matched through all four teams. We'll need to put together full, four-quarter performances, each time we get on the field. We will need to culminate our best season efforts and perform at our highest level of execution in all areas of the game.
"This is a special group that has been a pleasure to coach throughout their careers. Many of our seniors have been full-time contributors since their sophomore year. Seeing them finish their journey with a strong post-season run and hopefully a sectional title game would be an incredibly rewarding and well-deserved achievement for all the hard work they've invested."
Since sports have always been a big part of his life, Andrew really doesn't do much off of the playing fields.
"I just really love hanging out with all my friends and spending time with family," explained Goveia. "My long-term plan is to get a really good job in the marketing field and live a normal, happy life."
However, his main focus right now is a DAC showdown between Chesterton (5-2) and visiting No. 3 (Class 6A) Crown Point (7-0) on October 10.
