There has been strange noises reported emanating from the campus of Goshen High School.

Strange grunts, yells, and what can only be described as &uot;contact noises&uot; have been reposted between the hours of 3 and 6 pm.

Of course, on further investigation the noises are explained quite rationally.

The 2007 Goshen High School Eagles have begun spring practice this week.

The team finished last season with a dead even 5-5 record and judging by the look in the eye of the players on the field, the upcoming season is going to be a lot different.

Goshen has all but three players returning to the team this year, including wide receiver Derrick Owens, running back Marquez Maddox, and defensive standout Marty Anderson.

&uot;We have just about everybody returning to the team this year and that is a big advantage for us,&uot; Goshen High School head coach Joe Thornton said.

The practices have run all week, and Thornton has no plans for slowing down.

&uot;We are not very big as far as numbers, but we have the players on this team to get it done on the field if we work hard at it,&uot; Thornton said. &uot;We have some guys that are real physical and that helps too.&uot;

For Thornton, a football team gets its foundations in the weight room.

That mentality proved itself valuable when Goshen took home the 2007 Class 2A state weightlifting championship.

&uot;If we can get in the weight room and get that much bigger and stronger then we will do some big things come August,&uot; Thornton said.

The Eagles will open the 2007 season with a home game against Bullock County High School.