Sports Writer

MONTGOMERY – Junior tailback Quez Burden rushed for three touchdowns as the Goshen

Eagles bounced back from last week’s heartbreaking setback to Straughn with a convincing 42-8 victory over the St. Jude Pirates in a Class 2A Region 3 matchup at Carver Field in Montgomery Friday night.

With the win, the Eagles clinched their first playoff spot since 1997 under current Elba head coach Julius Head. Goshen (4-1, 7-1) will attempt to claim a first round playoff game this Friday night when they travel to face Highland Home. The Flying Squadron defeated Georgiana 54-33 at Clay Jordan Stadium.

After overcoming numerous injuries and obstacles along the way, Goshen head football coach Joe Thornton said he was proud of what the Eagles accomplished.

"Give credit to these kids and assignment coaches because they worked their butts off to get us into this position. It’s big for the kids and the program. The kids believe they can be state champions if we point them in the right direction."

In the first quarter, the Eagles took control of the game early when Jonathan Folmar recovered a fumble at the Goshen 30 yard line. Seven plays later, Burden capped the drive scoring from five yards out. The extra point by Mitch Holland was good and with 2:10 left in the first quarter the Eagles led 7-0.

On the first play of the second quarter, Damoreo Green recovered a Pirate fumble setting the Eagles up in outstanding field position. The Eagles wasted very little time as Jamar Tucker made a circus catch on a Michael Hatten pass and raced 60 yards for a touchdown. The extra point by Holland was good and with 11:43 left in the first half Goshen led 14-0.

Thornton said he was extremely pleased with Hatten’s decision making process.

"

Michael did a great job of checking off at the line putting people in the right positions and creating mismatches," Thornton said.

After Rhett Bean recovered another St. Jude fumble, Goshen cashed in once again as Burden took a pitch on a fourth and seven play and scored from 10 yards out. Holland hit his third straight extra point and the Eagles extended their lead to 21-0 with exactly seven minutes left in the first half.

Holland also made headlines on defense with an interception as he returned it to the one yard line. Following a series of penalties, Burden scored from three yards out to give the Eagles a commanding 28-0 lead.

Tucker ended the first half scoring taking a screen pass from Hatten as he raced 68 yards for a touchdown as Goshen led 35-0 at intermission.

Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the second half as Raymond McNabb scored Goshen’s last touchdown on a 35 yard touchdown jaunt.

Thornton praised the overall performance of Goshen’s offensive line.

"Damoreo Green and Matt Qualls are freshmen who really stepped up," Thornton said. "Donnie Miniard has flip flopped positions, learning different positions all year. This couldn’t have been done without our seniors up front."

As far as next week’s showdown with the Flying Squadron is concerned, Thornton said the Flyboys from northern Crenshaw County will pose a problem for the Eagles.

"Claude (Giddens) has a great program," Thornton said. "We’re going to evaluate what we did and get ready for them."

Kickoff is set set for 7:30 p.m. at Highland Home’s Clay Jordan Stadium.