Secretary of defense
DUXBURY — In recent years, the high-powered Duxbury offense has stolen most of the headlines. Joe Gooley is changing that this season, while maintaining the Green Dragons’ winning tradition. The senior linebacker is the leader of Duxbury’s defense, and his sensational play has rightfully pushed the stout group, which allows only 8.8 points per game, into the spotlight.
“We want to prove that the defense is an elite unit, that it wasn’t just the offense last year,” Gooley said. “The defense can win games for Duxbury.”
Duxbury’s offense played a major factor in the school’s march to a Division 2 Super Bowl title a season ago. Former quarterback Bobby Maimaron, the state’s all-time leader in career passing touchdowns (122), combined with talents like Ryan Reagan (now playing at Harvard) and Devin DeMeritt to garner most of the attention.
That allowed Gooley and the rest of the defense to fly under the radar despite their solid play. Gooley turned in a phenomenal junior season, leading Duxbury in tackles with 112 while also recording 7.5 sacks.
With the offensive stars graduating, the ninth-ranked Green Dragons turned to Gooley, who was named a captain, to maintain the level of excellence.
“He’s a three-year starter at linebacker for us, so he has a lot of big-game experience,” said coach Dave Maimaron. “He has seen everything at this point and knows how to react to different situations. He’s just a great kid. He’s one of those kids that he’s just fun to watch play. Every game he does something on the field where it awes you.”
Gooley doesn’t just shine on one side of the ball. Aside from his main defensive duties, Gooley’s versatility allows him to have an impact in all three phases of the game for the 3-1 Green Dragons.
“He’s blocked two punts,” Maimaron said. “He’s been our punter, (and) he’s been punting the ball unbelievable. He’s run the ball super effectively. He can catch the ball. He can do anything on defense. He can cover. He can play zone. He can play man. He can rush the passer or he can play the run. Literally, he can do it all.”
But it’s Gooley’s defensive prowess that has been most critical in leading a group that has given up only 35 points through four games and just 15 points over the last three weeks.
Gooley’s speed allows him to be a disrupter from his outside linebacker position. That was evident in a 23-9 victory over Whitman-Hanson two weeks ago when he registered three sacks and nine tackles, one of which resulted in a safety.
For Gooley, it isn’t just about his physical gifts, but an ability to dissect a play quickly.
“A lot of it is from studying film, but really, I think it’s instincts,” said Gooley, who has 40 total tackles this season. “I don’t think as much during the game. I’m in a different mode, and I’m just playing 100 miles per hour.”
With Gooley elevating the play of those around him, Duxbury’s defense is no longer in the shadows. But to Gooley, it doesn’t matter either way.
“We really don’t pay attention to that,” Gooley said. “We just do our job. We’re not looking for recognition. We’re just looking to win games.” Gooley and mates earning much-deserved recognition