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SPORTS

Dominick Goodman prepares for ArenaBowl XXVII Aug. 23

Mike Dyer
mdyer@enquirer.com

Ever since his days playing for the Little Cards, Dominick Goodman has stood out on the football field.

Goodman, the former Colerain quarterback and University of Cincinnati wide receiver, is still making a significant impact in his career with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.

On Thursday, Goodman was named to the First All-Arena team. It was the first time in his career he received First Team honors and the second All-Arena selection overall. He led the AFL in receptions with 156 this season.

"It means a lot," Goodman told The Enquirer Friday afternoon. "Just my hard work and everything from the offseason is paying off."

Goodman and the Gladiators (17-1) play Arizona (15-3) in ArenaBowl XXVII at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

"We are locked in and focused on a good Arizona team," Goodman said. "We want to stay ready and practice hard."

Goodman, the quarterback on the Colerain 2004 state championship team, never expected to have 156 receptions this season but says he has managed to catch the ball and make plays when it comes his way and has created openings on his routes.

"Doesn't shock me," Colerain football coach Tom Bolden said of Goodman's success. "I am still shocked he's not in the NFL to be honest."

Goodman was back in the area recently helping the Cardinals prepare for their season opener Aug. 29. Goodman coached the wide receivers as a Colerain assistant last season and will probably coach the quarterbacks this year, Bolden said.

Bolden said Goodman would return to Colerain and work relentlessly in the offseason on catching passes and running routes. Bolden, who was a Colerain assistant on the 2004 squad when Goodman was a senior, said he could see the former Colerain standout play a slot position in the NFL.

"He catches everything you throw out at him," Bolden said. "…He's got the best hands I've ever seen."

The current Colerain players enjoyed seeing Goodman help with the team and Bolden understands his assistant coach might have to delay his fulltime coaching duties this month.

"I said (to Goodman), 'Go win the whole thing,'" Bolden said of the Arena Bowl.

Dominick Goodman has flourished in his role with the Cleveland Gladiators.