Sports Writer

HIGHLAND HOME – It was a "sweet victory" for the Goshen Eagles in Highland Home Friday night as the Eagles smashed the Flying Squadron, 24-0.

Goshen Head Coach Joe Thornton said he was thrilled with the win and with the performance of his team.

"They really stepped up for the occasion," Thornton said. "They played hard and had a lot of big plays."

The Eagle offense was on fire the first half scoring all 24 points before halftime. Even though both teams remained scoreless in the second half the numbers were still high for the Eagles. Junior Dee Brundidge rushed for 133 yards on 10 carries; and Junior Quez Burden and Sophomore Raymond McNabb both rushed for 27 yards on six carries each. Senior Quarterback Michael Hatten, who returned to Goshen after a stint at Highland Home last season, went five-for-10 passing for 131 yards; Averick Rogers went 1-for-1 for 59 yards, while Senior Jamar Tucker caught three passes for 133 yards.

While the Goshen offense was busy putting points on the board the Eagle offense was keeping the Squadron from scoring. Although the Highland Home offense was strong, it was no match for the powerful defense from Goshen.

McNabb finished the game with eight tackles; Senior Rhett Bean had seven tackles; Senior Mitch Holland had 4 tackles and Senior Barry Jones blocked a field goal.

In the opening play of the game the Eagles flew quickly down the field to put points on the board first. In five plays, the Eagles moved the ball from their own 13-yard line through Squadron territory and into the end zone and putting six points on the board early.

Holland’s point after attempt was good putting Goshen on top 7-0.

The Goshen defense teased the Squadron allowing them to move the ball down the field. But once the Squadron was inside the 10-yard line it was all Goshen defense. The Eagles stopped Highland Home’s quarterback D.J. Chambers from throwing or running the ball into the end zone.

In a final attempt to score, Chambers was stopped short on the 10-yard line, three yards short of a first down.

The Eagles took over on their own 10-yard line and wasted no time moving the ball down the field. A 15-yard touchdown pass from Hatten to Tucker

put another six points on the scoreboard for Goshen. Holland’s point after attempt moved the Eagles ahead by 14 points.

The Squadron’s second possession again proved fruitless. Tucker’s kick off

landed about eight yards in the end zone. Highland Home struggled against the Eagle defense, and they were unable to move the ball past the 50-yard line. On fourth down and two yards to go for the first down, a Squadron 16-yard rolling punt gave the Eagles decent field position on their own 28-yard line with six seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same for the Eagles and the Flying Squadron.

Goshen failed to score on the first drive of the second quarter.

The Goshen defense held strong, but the Squadron offense was able to move the ball down to the 9-yard line. With Highland Home in scoring position, the Eagles answered the call, forcing the Squadron to attempt a field goal.

The field goal was blocked by Barry Jones, leaving the Squadron with nothing to show for their offensive drive.

The Goshen Eagles took over on their own 30-yard line. After a fumble recovery by Hatten, he pitched the ball to Tucker for a 70 yard touchdown run. Holland’s point after attempt was good, and the score was 21-0 with 4:20 left in the first half of the game.

Goshen’s touchdown was unanswered by the Squadron. The Eagle defense played solid, which featured an outstanding defensive play by Senior Dan Garner, and hard hits from Senior Donnie Miniard and Jones kept the Squadron away from the end zone.

But the Squadron’s defense held the Eagles scoreless in their next possession. Tucker’s punt to Highland Home was out of bounds and the Squadron took possession on their own 39-yard line.

Highland Home’s luck ran out quickly as Holland intercepted a Squadron pass with 11 seconds left in the half. A touchdown was not in the picture for Goshen on this drive, but with one second left on the clock Holland kicked a field goal bringing the score to Goshen 24, Highland Home 0.

Touchdowns were obsolete in the second half. The defenses of both teams were strong keeping the opposing offenses away from the end zone.

The Goshen defense remained strong throughout the second half of the game. Key defensive plays by Sophomore Jonathan Folmar, Rogers, McNabb, Jones and a sack by Senior Rhett Bean kept Highland Home from putting points on the scoreboard in the 24-0 shutout at Clay Jordan Stadium in Highland Home.

"I can’t brag enough on these kids," Thornton said about his team. "We have a lot of young players on the team. As a matter of fact, we started two freshmen tonight. Our reserves are predominantly sophomores. We’ve got a great coaching staff, but I owe a lot of this to the seniors. We’ve got really great senior leadership out there.

"This has been a

sweet, sweet victory."

Goshen will end the regular season next week against Pleasant Home at Eagle Stadium in Goshen.