For the Goshen Eagles their first round matchup was more than a playoff game, it was a chance at redemption and redemption they earned.

Goshen, who was throttled by G.W. Long in week 1 48-20, stopped the Rebels four times from inside the 10-yard line to preserve a 33-28 victory to advance to the second round.

While the taste of this victory may be a touch sweeter than others, the time for celebration is over and a new task is at hand … a much tougher task.

Flomaton will come to the Eagles Nest Friday night and bring its 10-1 record with them.

“They’re record obviously speaks to the quality team they have,” head coach Bart Snyder said.

While the Hurricanes didn’t have the most difficult slate, they did defeat some quality teams. Flomaton knocked off an 8-4 Southern Choctaw team as well as a 7-4 Billingsley squad in the first round. The Hurricanes lone loss came in a one-point verdict to perennial powerhouse Leroy, 14-13.

“When you play the defending state champs to a one-point game and only allow 14 points, you’ve done something,” said Snyder.

The Hurricanes set a new school record by scoring 467 points this season, an average of 42.5 per contest.

Goshen will need the same MVP-type performance they got from running back Reginald Foster last week if they hope to hang with ‘Canes.

Foster had been used only sparingly in the last five games of the season to to a combination of injuries.

“Anytime you have a caliber athlete of Reginald Foster your team looks to him as a leader, said Snyder.”

Foster rushed for 224 yards on 17 carries in the win over Long and scored four touchdowns.

“It was big to have him back and healthy,” Snyder said. “It picked our team up.”

The Hurricanes will come to Goshen with a similar offensive attack as G.W. Long.

“They are big on both lines and will try to run it right at us,” said Snyder.

Goshen’s defense allowed Long to jump on top 22-0 early before reeling off 33 unanswered points of their own.

Quarterback Jerome Lawrence had a nice game for the Eagles, doing just enough to keep the Rebels defense guessing. Lawrence was 6-for-8 passing for 127 yards.

The Eagles will need the same type balanced attack in order to be productive against a Flomaton defense that has allowed an average of just 10 points per game.

“They look very big up front and very stingy with what they do,” said Snyder.

Flomaton and Goshen are deadlocked at 1-1 in the only two meetings between the schools that came in 1982 and 1983.

Snyder hopes to lead the Eagles into the third round for the first time since 1991.

“We can make a statement with a win,” Snyder said. “Our guys are excited to be in the second round and excited for the opportunity to be in the third round.”

Awaiting the winner of this contest is either top-ranked Elba or Vincent.

Goshen held the undefeated Elba team to its second lowest point total of the season in a 26-12 loss in week two.

Kickoff in Goshen is set for 7 p.m.