The Purple Cats hope to get into the win column this Friday night when they travel to Goshen to take on the Eagles.

The Purple Cats (0-1) head to Goshen coming off a 41-19 loss to Daleville in the season opener.

“The good thing about the team is I think we learned a lot about ourselves. We know it’s a work in progress and we have to keep getting better each and every week. I think it will help moving forward, as will the game with Goshen. Those are two good teams right out of the gate. Hopefully it gets us ready for our region slate.”

The Purple Cats held tough with the 4A Warriors last Friday night. In the end, team mistakes hurt the Purple Cats and it led to a 22-point loss.

“We made a lot of mistakes,” Kilcrease said. “We kept clawing and our kids didn’t quit. We had a few injuries. Nothing severe, but it hurt us. We were trying to teach guys at halftime and on the sideline to do things and they did well. We still have a lot of work to do, but hopefully this week we can be better in all three phases.”

Despite being 0-2 against the Eagles during his time with the Purple Cats, Kilcrease considers Goshen to be an upcoming rival and a team they could be playing on a yearly basis.

“They have had our number the last two years,” Kilcrease said. “I would love to keep that rivalry. It helps us to play them and hopefully we can get them ready for their region. I believe in scheduling good teams early before the region. We are excited about playing them and I think it would be a good football game.”

Unlike themselves, the Purple Cats are going up against a team yet to play a game. The Eagles lost many of their weapons a year ago and, without much film, the Purple Cats don’t quite know what to expect out of the Eagles.

“The quarterback position is going to be the biggest difference,” Kilcrease said. “Last year, Brock was a pocket passer and threw the ball really well. This quarterback is a great athlete and he scares us to death.

“We really don’t have anything to look at. We were practicing when they had their spring game and we ended up not swapping spring film. We know they are going to be extremely athletic and big up front.”

Both fan bases love to support their football team and coach Kilcrease expects a packed house inside Eagles Stadium on Friday.

“Both of these communities support their school,” Kilcrease said. “I Know Goshen is going to have a huge crowd and I expect our people to travel really well. I think it will be a really good atmosphere.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.