Goshen High School honored its football players, volleyball players, cheerleaders and football managerial staff Thursday night at the annual fall sports banquet.

Head football coach and athletic director Bart Snyder was on hand to present his team with awards following Goshen’s 7-3 regular season and second-round playoff berth.

Snyder gave the credit for the season not only to his players, but also to his coaching staff.

“I couldn’t have hand picked a better staff,” Snyder said. “I really just turned it over to them, and said ok, let’s run with it. They just did an outstanding job.”

Snyder also expressed his gratitude to the people of Goshen.

“I wouldn’t take the job without these communities that make up Goshen,” Snyder said. “I love this place.”

Snyder honored the team’s two permanent captains, Marcus Jackson and Whitman Merritt. The coaches’ award went to Heath Swanzy, while DeVandrick Merritt took home the hustle award.

The volleyball team was also honored, and coach Deanne Hughes offered her thoughts on the team’s 8-6 season.

“To start the season, we only had two returning varsity players,” Hughes said. “We were totally rebuilding, and I was trying to be optimistic, but I wasn’t totally sure what the season was going to hold. I didn’t have a great player, but I had a good team.”

One thing the season did hold was a big win over Charles Henderson.

“You talk about an exciting time to pull into Goshen High School and be proud of what these girls had accomplished,” Hughes said.

Hughes said the team’s motto was one of the things that helped to pull them through.

“I believe in you. You believe in me. Together, we are a team,” Hughes said.

Cheerleading coach Katie Scott also honored her squad at the banquet, and thanked the parents she worked closely with.

“Thank you for sharing your girls with me,” Scott said. “Thanks for bringing cokes and ice, or sandwiches, or whatever it was that I needed. Never once did I say I wanted something and it wasn’t there lickety-split.”

Scott also spoke of the bright future facing her team after this season’s encouraging performance.

“For the first time in a long time, we competed in the Pea River Conference competition, and we came home runner-up,” Scott said.

“I hope this year exceeded your expectations, because it sure exceeded mine.”