Sports Editor

Victories over Billingsley and beating arch-rival Luverne for the first time in 14 years last Friday night, helped propel the Goshen Eagles into the No. 10 spot of this week’s Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A high school football poll.

GHS bombed the Bears in the first week of the season 54-0 and defeated the Tigers 29-13 to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 1997.

1997 was also the last year the Eagles were ranked in the top ten, moving as high as sixth in the poll before back-to-back losses to Luverne, in the final game of the year, and Cottonwood, in the first round of the state playoffs, ended the Eagles’ season.

Since ’97 the Eagles have posted consecutive losing campaigns, going 2-8 in 1998 and 4-6 last year, in Joe Thornton’s first season as GHS head coach.

Thornton said he was pleased to be ranked in the poll.

"It just shows you that people are taking notice of your program," he said. "It’s something for the kids to look at and see that all the hard work we went through during the offseason is finally starting to pay off."

But Thornton said being ranked wasn’t something that his team was going to dwell on.

"We’re keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal, which is playing in Birmingham for a state championship," he said.

To reach the playoffs, the Eagles will have to go through one of the toughest regions in Class 2A. Georgiana, Straughn, Red Level and St. Jude all appear to have strong teams and Highland Home is ranked No. 2 in this weeks ASWA poll.

The Eagles and the Flying Squadron meet on Oct. 27 in Crenshaw County.

Goshen will open regional play at home on Friday night against Barbour County. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.