Goshen aims for a third consecutive victory this Friday, Sept. 19, as teh Eagles (2-1, 2-0) host the Highland Home Flying squadron (2-2, 2-0) in a pivotal Class 2A, Region 2 matchup. A win would solidify Goshen’s position atop the regional standings.
Both Goshen and Highland Home enter the contest on two-game winning streaks and tied for first place in the region with 2-0 records,alongside Luverne at 1-0. The outcome of Friday’s game will be a significant step toward securing a top seed in the regional playoffs. Last week, Goshen achieved a decisive 31-0 shutout against Calhoun, a performance Coach Don Moore attributed too a strong second-half response from his team.
“We started out very slow and sluggish and a little sloppy,” Moore said. “I challenged our guys at halftime to have a better half and they responded well with that.”
Quarterback Grant Taylor spearheaded the Eagles’ offense with 117 yards on 5-of-16 passing,adding 41 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Jaylon Vinson contributed 71 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while Triston Whatley added 60 yards and a score on five carries.
Highland Home rebounded from early-season losses to Straughn and Charles Henderson with consecutive wins over Zion chapel and Barbour County. Moore acknowledged the Squadron’s resurgence and potential.
“They’re a really good football team,” Moore said. “I no a lot of people thought they would be down this year but they have some really good players. They have a good offensive and defensive line and they have some skill guys that are young but talented. We’ll have to play really good football to beat them.”
Historically, Highland Home has dominated the series, leading 32-28-1. Goshen last defeated the Squadron in 2015 with a 39-0 victory, and has lost the last five meetings, including a 53-21 defeat last season.
Moore emphasized the keys to success for the Eagles: “We have to eliminate turnovers and compete for four quarters. That’s the biggest thing for us and being physical and rising to the challenge of their physicality.”
