By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
North Carolina Tar Heel fans can rest assured that Trimane Goddard is going to be flying around the field this season.
Goddard, a former standout at Roanoke High School, will be patrolling the defensive backfield for the Tar Heels. After missing all of last season because of an injury, only game action will help Goddard feed his hunger.
Goddard will get to do that Saturday when the Tar Heels play host to James Madison in the season opener.
The UNC free safety, who wears No. 31, said his team will be prepared.
The coach who has been teaching Goddard and the rest of the Heels is Butch Davis.
Speaking of hands-on, Goddard is hoping to get his hands on lots of running backs and receivers this season. Goddard had 53 tackles and a team-high three interceptions in 11 games, starting in six of them, in 2005. That came one year after he finished with 16 tackles as a freshman.
A healthy and confident Goddard is looking for bigger numbers this season. He’s hoping his play on the field will land him some postseason honors.
Several preseason publications have Goddard listed as a possible All-ACC candidate. While he’s seen it in writing, Goddard doesn’t let it affect his approach.
Goddard has already met one of his goals — returning to the football field healthy. While admittedly down at times last year because of the injury, Goddard was able to learn plenty by watching games from the sidelines.
Now that he’s back on the field, the 5-11, 195-pound junior is using what he learned to help his teammates.
Goddard is already excited to lead his teammates into battle Sept. 8 when the Tar Heels play at East Carolina. For Goddard, it’s a chance to play in front of his parents, Christopher Moore and Debra Moore, other family members and friends.
Goddard, who has hopes of playing in the NFL once his college days are done, isn’t looking past James Madison. In fact, that game can’t get here soon enough for him.
It’s all the sweeter for Goddard, who hasn’t seen live action since 2005.
For Goddard, game-time can’t here soon enough.