Senior Marcus Jackson led the Goshen Eagles to a victory over Ariton Friday night in preseason action, scoring two touchdowns to go along with 95 yards rushing and 43 yards receiving.

“If it had not been for them, I couldn’t have done it. We played as a team. But, we’ve got more work to do,’ Jackson said of his offensive line.

The Eagles first drive started on their own 30 yard-line. Seven plays later, Jerome Lawrence, hit Marcus Jackson with a pass for 43 yards resulting in the first touchdown of the game. The PAT was no good.

The Purple Cats first drive started on their own 30 yard –line. They drove the ball to the Eagle 19 yard- line, that’s where the Eagles stopped them and the Cats settled for a field goal. Score 6-3.

It only took the Eagles two plays to find the end zone for the second time. The touchdown was a result of a 66 yard run by Reginald Foster. The Eagles went for two this time, but, the PAT was no good.

The Purple Cats second possession of the game was three and out. The Eagles took over on their own 38 yard-line. The Eagles fumbled, giving Ariton possession of the ball.

The Eagles next touchdown drive was set up by an interception by sophomore, Carlton Bean. Bean returned to ball 31 yards to the Purple Cats 49 yard-line. It only took the Eagles five plays to put the ball in the end zone once more. It came on a five yard run by senior, Marcus Jackson. This time the PAT was good, making the score 19-3.

Younger players for both the Eagles and the Purple Cats got to get some playing time during the final minutes of the game.

Head coach, Bart Snyder, said that the running backs ran the ball well. The linemen picked up and made some key blocks. Defensively, we made some big plays and we needed to.

“Had two great key interceptions by freshman, Deangelo Orum and sophomore, Carlton Bean.” Coach Snyder continued, “We are proud of the positive and this being a pre-season game we have to find areas to work on. Things like, we’ve got to get in better shape, picking up and making blocks, running backs running harder and executing on both sides of the ball. Most of these things can be fixed.”

“The great assistant coaches will get in there and work to make adjustments to give these kids a chance to become a better team.”

On Thursday night’s game against GW Long, Coach Snyder replied, “ GW Long is a very good team, very well coached. They didn’t have a fall jamboree, so they will be fresher than we are. We’ve got to come in on Monday ready to work and to get that first 2010 win.”

Marcus responded to the upcoming game against GW Long saying, “So, this week we’ve got to practice even harder and come out and win.”

The Goshen Junior Varsity played the first two quarters with the Purple Cats coming out on top with a score of 14-0. “The JV team is a very young team with most of the players being in the seventh grade. We’re gonna get better,” coach Bart Snyder said.