1988 Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year
Rick Mirer, Goshen High School (Goshen, Indiana). QB 6’3 205 lbs.
You are going to think these 1988 statistics are misprints, but trust us, they aren’t. They’ve been verified.
Mirer passed for nearly 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading the Goshen Redskins to a perfect 14-0 record and the 1988 Indiana state championship. He also ran for almost 500 yards and 22 touch-downs.
If that wasn’t enough, he kicked six field goals and converted 46 of 56 extra points. That means Mirer either scored himself, or passed for, a total of 376 points — an average of almost 30 a game.
Mirer, nearly a straight-A student, also played a little defense in 1988— intercepting eight passes and making 57 tackles as a defensive back.
And to hear his coach, Randy Robertson, talk, statistics don’t begin to tell Mirer’s story.
“Obviously, he’s an extremely gifted young man,” said Robertson. “But more importantly, he’s a great competitor. A lot of players can make the great plays in average games, but Rick makes the great plays in great games, when you really need it the most. He’s much like Joe Montana in that respect.”
Robertson pointed to two examples. The first came when Mirer whipped the Redskins on a late, 82-yard drive, completing seven straight passes, to break a 15-15 tie and win one key 1988 game. Then, in the state championship game, he directed Goshen on a clutch 99-yard drive in the fourth quarter to ice the title.
Ironically, Mirer, who is 6-3, 205 pounds, has committed to play 40 miles down the road from Goshen at Notre Dame, where the San Francisco 49ers’ Montana began building his reputation as the quintessential clutch quarterback.
“Rick is not only a great player, he has outstanding character,” added Robertson. “Sometimes great athletes can be prima donnas. But while Rick is confident on the field, he is very modest off the field. He makes sure he gives credit to his teammates. He has won a lot of individual honors. I asked him recently which was the most important to him. He said it was the state championship. He’s a team player.”
1988 Statistics:
Passing: 259-421 for 3,973 yards with 30 TDs
Rushing: 110 carries for 460 yards, 22 TDs
Kicking: 6 field goals
40-56 extra points
Punting: 39-yard punting average
Defense: 57 tackles, 8 interceptions