Football teams are referred to by players and coaches as a “family.” Throughout the fall the players form bonds with one another that will help them make it through difficult times, and the coaches spend more time with each other than they do with their own family. But sometimes groups pop up inside the team.

While the 2012 Goshen Eagles have seen quite a bit of turmoil as a team, four seniors have persevered to do something that only a few have done prior.

Delaney Allen, Carlton Bean, Rhett Lolley and Rashad Rodgers have reached the playoffs all four years of varsity football action.

Bean’s 2012 season has been one of change. The soft-spoken senior started the season at wide receiver, but changed positions after the coaching staff dumped the spread offense for the double wing veer.

Bean moved to running back, and transitioned to the new role with the same humble attitude.

“I just had to make the move,” Bean said with a smile and shrug. “Whatever I can do to help the team is what I have to do. I don’t care about stats, it’s about wins.”

Rashad Rodgers anchors the Eagle defense. That defensive unit has come alive down the stretch and allowed just 15.5 points per game during the Eagles four game streak. Rodgers said that this version of the Eagles have developed more of a family mentality than others.

“We have come together as a family almost,” said Rodgers. “We have gotten better every day and we want to keep playing until December.”

Lolley, line many of the Eagles, plays both ways. Lolley lines up at wide receiver and at linebacker and in the secondary on defense. He agrees that this team is different.

“There aren’t any stars on this team,” said Lolley. “We all do our part to help the team. We just try to keep going and pushing on.”

Delaney Allen’s story is quite different than the others. Allen, a receiver, will not be able to suit up on Friday night due to an injury that has the majority of right arm in a bright pink cast. Allen has more than likely played his final game in purple and gold, but said that there is not another group of people he would rather play with.

“I love these guys, all of them,” said Allen. “They are all my friends, and it has been amazing to play and do this with them. We aren’t done yet.”

Goshen head coach Bart Snyder is also making a trip to the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The four players making history for the Eagles on Friday night were just freshmen when Snyder took over at his alma mater.

Over the past four seasons Snyder said he has seen them grow up and become great players and members of the community.

“Having a group of guys make the playoffs so many years in a row is not common here at Goshen,” said Snyder. “These guys are great leaders and will continue to be so.”

The Eagles travel to Oakman on Friday night in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.