2008 Woodie Awards
Early on, LeFevour impressed in Illinois
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Special Section Dan LeFevour
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At Benet Academy, a Catholic High School in Lisle, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago, LeFevour fine-tuned his skills and began his progress toward becoming one of most acclaimed quarterbacks in Central Michigan history.
And Goforth, the varsity football coach at Benet, and Gaughan, the varsity basketball coach, knew they had someone special.
"I haven't seen any change in him," Gaughan said. "He still impresses me with the way he handles himself."
Both Goforth and Gaughan have plenty of stories to share about LeFevour.
Just ask Goforth about his senior season, when rival Marist High School marched down the field in one of the last games of the season.
How did LeFevour respond?
He scored on Benet's first play from scrimmage, running for more than 60 yards to tie the score and grab the momentum.
"I use him as an example, not only because of the way he plays the game of football, but also the way he prepares for the game of football, his hard work to get where he is at and to realize that a school will find you if you are at that level to play," Goforth said.
LeFevour got his start at Benet as a running back on the freshman team. But as a sophomore, he moved to quarterback on the varsity and got his chance six weeks into the season, Goforth said.
LeFevour also generated some excitement as a basketball player during his time at Benet. Gaughan remembers when LeFevour intercepted a pass in a regional final game with four seconds left and Benet down one and went the length of the floor for a game-winning layup.
"He made a difference when he stepped on the floor," Gaughan said. "He makes plays like that.When the time is right, he steps up."
LeFevour said his time at Benet, especially with Gaughan, prepared him more than most high schools would have.
"Just the way that the scouting reports, the attention to detail and all the things (Gaughan) tried to give us that I'm realizing now we were doing at the high school level," he said. "I just hope kids realize that in high school, they're getting a championship experience."
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