Goshen needs homecoming win for playoff chance

Published 3:00 am Thursday, October 18, 2018

Goshen returns home to Eagles Stadium on Friday night to take on Central Hayneville for homecoming.

The Eagles (3-4, 3-2) snapped short losing streak with a win on the road against Calhoun. The Eagles transitioned that win into two of the best practices of the season according to head coach Bart Snyder.

“We started the week off good we just hope we can end the week good,” Snyder said. “Actually, we have had the best two days of practice we have had all year.”

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The Eagles will celebrate homecoming, but with the postseason riding on the Eagles’ final two region games, concentration is of the upmost importance.

“It’s homecoming and it’s must have game,” Snyder said. “It’s a region ballgame so being distracted is not something that we can do.”

The Eagles have gotten off to strong starts in many of their games before they eventually got out of hand. Last Friday The Eagles got off to a fast start against Calhoun and never looked back.

“It’s not how we start it’s how we finish,” Snyder said. “That is how we feel about the season. We honestly feel like we have been right there in some games and we probably should have won.

“The work is being put in and the players are doing what we asked them to do. We have had a good week and hopefully it will reflect on Friday night.”

Despite the 34-0 win, Snyder believes the Eagles still have improvements to make if they want to play in the postseason.

“Some players did good and some players did not,” Snyder said. “A lot of things that we really need to work on to get better. The guys saw the film and saw the things that took place. I think that really has a lot to do with how we practiced so far this week.”

Central Hayneville comes to Goshen in search of their first win of the season with an 0-7 record. They are coming off a 27-12 loss to Zion Chapel. The 12 points matched a season high for the Lions. They have scored a total of 36 points this season. Despite the struggling offense, Snyder believes they have the pieces to present the Eagles a challenge.

“Each week they have gotten better,” Snyder said. “They got some huge players and some very athletic players. With a team like that all it takes is an opportunity to where they feel like they can win. They have the athletes to do it.”

The Eagles still find them in the mix for a postseason berth. To remain there, they have to be able to get by the Lions on Friday.

“The first thing we have to do is win on Friday night,” Snyder said. “That is where we are because of the things we did earlier in the season. We can’t even think about the playoffs, but we have to win to be able to make the playoffs. If we don’t than we are not in the playoffs.”

The Eagles knocked off the Lions a season ago 59-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.