Sports Writer

GOSHEN-Goshen improved to 5-3 and 4-1 in Class 2A Region 3 play as they defeated the St. Jude Pirates, 34-16 on Friday night.

The Eagles were led by Quez Burden who rushed 13 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Tyrone Crawford added 47 yards on two carries with one touchdown. Quarterback Averick Rogers completed 4-of-5 passes with a touchdown to toss to Jonathan Folmar.

"I felt we played hard considering we came off of a big win last week," said Goshen coach Joe Thornton. "Our kids showed maturity, picking up the stunts St. Jude threw at us, and by playing hard. We face a big challenge this week against Highland Home and look forward to a great game with the Flying Squadron."

After stopping the Pirates on their first possession, the Eagles scored on a 49-yard run by Burden with 9:35 left in the opening quarter. Matt Qualls snapped to Burden, the holder, and the kick was good by Rogers to put Goshen up 7-0.

Michael Wilcoxson recovered a Pirate fumble to set up the next GHS score. With 6:52 left in the first, Goshen hit paydirt with a five play, 25-yard drive and a 4-yard run by Crawford.

Javar Bruce recovered a blocked Eagles’ punt at the 10:19 mark in the second period and he added the two-point conversion to make the score 14-8.

The Eagles’ responded with 7:17 left in the half as Rogers fired an 8-yard strike to Folmar, capping off a five play, 78 yard drive that was highlighted by a 43 yard run by Crawford. Rogers faked the PAT and ran in for the conversion to make the score 22-8.

In the third with 9:38 left, Burden added another touchdown, this time for 50 yards out. The senior added his third score of the game late in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run.

St. Jude’s Antonio Jones hit Ricky Cotton with a 14-yard TD pass to finish out the scoring for the Pirates.

Defensively, Goshen was led by William Folmar and Clarence Bean, each with six tackles. Daniel Linton, Folmar and Burden all had five tackles apiece, while Wilcoxson and Foster Styron each recovered fumbles.

Jones led the Pirates on the ground, rushing 15 times for 90 yards. He was also 7-of-11 passing with the one touchdown to Cotton.