The Goshen Eagles started the season very slowly but currently are playing their best football of the season. They hope their run at success carries over into their game with Washington County in the first round of the Class 2A State Playoffs.

The game, which was originally scheduled for Friday night, was rescheduled for later this evening due to the threat of inclement weather on Friday night.

The fact that the game was rescheduled for tonight does not have head coach Bart Snyder worried.

“We got our two major days in of practice on Monday and Tuesday,” Snyder said. “We feel confident in what we have been doing. We are mentally focused.”

The Eagles had to play their best football down to stretch just to have the opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Eagles began the season losing five of their first six games and were outscored 212-58 in the process.

The Eagles were forced to win their last three region games, and they did just that. Their ability to win has given the Eagles the confidence needed heading into the playoffs.

“We are very proud of our guys,” Snyder said. “There was pressure in the games that we had to win in those last three games, and our guys rose to the occasion. We are very pleased with what the guys did to be able to get here.”

The Eagles may have gotten an early sneak peek of how the playoffs may be when they played Brantley to close out the year. The two-playoff teams battled tooth and nail until Brantley was able to defeat the Bulldogs in triple over time. The experience gained in that game could prove to be invaluable.

“The players have learned that this what it takes to play,” Snyder said. “That is Goshen football. If we can come through tomorrow night and execute really well, maybe we can sneak out of there with a big win and be able to play in Goshen next week.”

For the Eagles to return home next week, they are going to have to get by the Washington County Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs (8-2, 7-0) are entering the playoffs with a pair bookend losses on the season. They are a run heavy team that will run the ball most of the game. Something that the Eagles will have to be on alert is the chance the Bulldogs will pull out a big play.

“We are making sure that we execute properly and make tackles,” Snyder said. “Their running backs are big and physical. We have to make sure that we don’t make any mental mistakes.”

The Eagles have made the post season in seven straight seasons, and they understand the fun and the excitement that comes along with playing playoff football.

“Its one and done,” Snyder said. “It puts a lot of pressure on you. As an athlete that’s what you want to live for. The exciting part is that half of the 2A football teams are at home and we survived.”

The Eagles and Bulldogs will began their second season tonight at 7 p.m. at Jordan Wilcox Stadium in Chatom.