Central senior quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey is stoicism personified.

Rockets' coach Telly Lockette calls him a ``rubber band'' for the way he can be stretched to the limit and not break.

Godfrey is dealing with the expectations of an upcoming season that has the potential to be historic.

He has appeared on the cover of high school football magazines and newspaper sports sections this summer.

His phone is constantly receiving texts from more than a dozen major college coaches.

That's the good stuff.

Godfrey also had to deal with the disappointment of learning the University of Miami, one of his favorite colleges growing up, apparently has gone in a different direction to find its quarterback of the future.

And he has dealt with rumors that surfaced recently about him possibly transferring to another school.

Godfrey wasn't fazed by any of it.

``Sometimes you get knocked down, but you have to get back up,'' Godfrey said. ``All that stuff has lit my fire to work harder every day and make people say they missed out. I'm taking it to a whole new level this season.''

That icy resolve is what Godfrey, nicknamed ``The Rocket Launcher'' by Central fans, will need to deliver on his two goals -- leading Central to its first state championship and shattering Miami-Dade County's single-season passing records.

``There was a point that my parents wanted to put me in another school, but we sat down, and they decided that whatever I wanted to do they would support me,'' Godfrey said. ``There was never a time I wanted to leave Central. I went to practice and tried not to pay attention to any of it. I was just worried about playing football. My heart right now is focused on getting better and winning a state championship.''

Last season, Godfrey completed a career-high 144 passes, threw for 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions and rushed for 11 touchdowns.

But Central's chances of winning it all were thwarted by longtime rival Northwestern in a 38-32 regional semifinal loss. The defeat came just weeks after the Rockets had beaten the Bulls for the first time in four years.

``Beating them last year gave us confidence, but it also hurt us I think because we were laid back in the second game,'' Godfrey said. ``I think we thought we had them, and that's why we lost.''

While the defense didn't match the offense last season, it is expected to be improved this year.

The Rockets have several key players back, including All-Dade linebacker Derrick Dansby. He will be joined by senior Miles Pace and an experienced defensive line led by ends Dwight Jackson, Lebrandon Richardson, a Hialeah transfer, and FAU recruit Shawn Brown.

``I think we're ready for the battles on both sides this season,'' Godfrey said. ``You could be in a shootout, but you need the defense to help you win the game.''

Godfrey (5-11, 170, 4.6 speed) is ranked No. 3 among dual-threat quarterbacks in the country by Rivals.com.

Godfrey said he originally wanted to go to UM, but with the Hurricanes' depth at the receiver and running back positions, and Monsignor Pace quarterback Stephen Morris' recent verbal commitment, Godfrey said Miami is no longer showing as much interest in him as it once had.

``I'd would love to go to UM, with me being behind Jacory Harris, that would have been great,'' Godfrey said. ``But they're off the list at this point.''

Godfrey said he, senior running back Brandon Gainer and senior wide receiver Joshua Reese are all hoping to go to the same school. Godfrey has 14 scholarship offers, including South Florida, Oregon, UCF, Tennessee, FSU, Arkansas and West Virginia.

Gainer (6-0, 210), ranked the No. 6 overall prospect in Dade by The Miami Herald, ranked third in the county in rushing last season, finishing with 185 carries for 1,644 yards and 17 touchdowns. After an 0-3 start, Gainer carried the ball 20 times or more in the Rockets' eight consecutive victories leading up to the regional semifinals.

Reese, ranked No. 8 overall by The Miami Herald, caught 45 passes for 793 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first varsity season.

``We talk about it every day,'' Godfrey said. ``I've built the chemistry with a lot of great players at Central. That's why I couldn't even think about leaving because we can do great things together this year.''

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