Eagles soar home, beat Pirates 40-14

By Nick Duke | Troy Messenger

Published Saturday, October 24, 2009

For the first time since 2001, the Goshen eagles will play host to a playoff game, this after the Eagles (6-3, 6-1) defeated the Saint Jude Pirates 40-14 Friday night in Montgomery to wrap up second place in Class 2A Region 3.

“What you saw tonight was a group of players coming together and playing like a team,” said head coach Bart Snyder. “From that team effort came players making great plays. There’s no “I” with this team. We’ve come a long way since week one.”

Goshen’s offense was truly explosive, scoring four of its seven touchdowns on plays longer than 25 yards. Of those four scoring plays, three went for 60 yards or more.

Snyder said the performance on offense was one he had been expecting all season.

“I thought when we played Reeltown and Pike County, we matched up real well, but we didn’t execute in those games,” Snyder said. “Tonight, we stepped up and executed. When we do that, we can score on anybody. That’s not me being arrogant. I just believe that much in these guys.”

The star of the game was undoubtedly sophomore running back Reginald Foster, who had 236 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Foster had runs of 87, 61 and 58 in the game, with two of those going for scores.

“I just had to step my game up,” Foster said. “We were trying to get to play at home in the playoffs, and I’m trying to win a championship.”

Snyder said there are even greater moments ahead for Foster.

“Reginald’s got a lot of God-given talent,” Snyder said. “The sky’s the limit for him.”

Goshen’s defense looked shaky early on, allowing the Pirates (7-2, 5-2) to go 77 yards for a touchdown over seven plays on the game’s opening possession.

However, the Eagle defense stepped up, allowing just six more points the rest of the way.

Goshen looked especially impressive on defense in the second half, allowing a total of zero yards to the Pirates and constantly pressuring three different Pirate quarterbacks.

For the game, Goshen had seven sacks and forced three turnovers.

“Tonight, our defensive line stepped up,” Snyder said. “They got after it. Our defensive coaching staff has really done a great job.”

After trailing 8-0 at the end of the first quarter, Goshen got on the board with a one-yard touchdown run from sophomore Jerome Lawrence.

The Pirates went three-and-out on their next possession, setting Goshen up on offense at the Pirate 40.

Five plays later, Foster scored his first touchdown to put Goshen ahead for good with 7:50 remaining in the second quarter.

Saint Jude went three-and-out once again on the ensuing possession, setting the stage for the biggest non-Foster play of the night.

Facing a second-and-11 from their own 38, Lawrence dropped back to pass and found Marcus Jackson, who eluded a defender and rambled 62 yards for a touchdown to put Goshen up 21-8.

Saint Jude would cut the deficit to 21-14 when it ran the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown, but could get no closer.

With the win, Goshen has earned the right to play at home in the first round of the playoffs, something that excites players and coaches alike.

“It’s just a great feeling to turn around on a night like tonight and see more lounge chairs than you would on a beach,” Snyder said. “The town of Goshen is excited about these guys, and its great for the town and our players.”

While Snyder was excited about Goshen’s big win, he said the weekend is not yet over.

“Now, we’re just hoping Coach Larry Blakeney and his staff can bring it home for all of Pike County tomorrow,” Snyder said.

Goshen will wrap up the regular season next week with a non-region game against Montgomery Catholic in Goshen before playing host to a first-round playoff game on Nov. 6.

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