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By Dan Smith

HIGHLAND HOME – The Goshen Eagles held a 21-19 lead at halftime over Highland Home in a battle of unbeaten teams, but the Flying Squadron dominated the second half with the misdirection of a tight double-wing offensive formation – outscoring Goshen 34-0 in the second half – en route to a 53-21 win Friday night in a fight of Class 2A, Region 3 heavyweights.

Highland Home’s offense accounted for 534 yards of total offense, as senior TJ Washington passed for 166 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another, and senior running back Austin Crittenden exploded for five touchdowns on the evening, four on offense and one on a fumble recovery and score.

Goshen now stands at 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in Region 2 competition, while in a key matchup both teams were anticipating, Highland Home improves to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Region play.

After both teams exchanged possessions to start the game, Goshen was the first to get on the board when Jayden McNabb broke a 22-yard touchdown run, and the extra point by Zion Picatoste was good for the 7-0 lead.

Highland Home tied the score at 7-7 on a 12-yard run by Tyler Chaney, and the extra point by Austin Norman was good.

Goshen stretched the lead to 14-7 in the second quarter on a McNabb touchdown of 1 yard, and Picaoste was good on the PAT.

The Flying Squadron cut that margin to 14-13 with 6:17 left in the second quarter on an 11-yard run by TJ Washington, and the extra point sailed wide.

Highland Home intercepted a pass and returned it to the Goshen 11, where Austin Crittenden scored on the next play for a touchdown and a 19-14 advantage with 4:02 left in the half, as the try for two points was unsuccessful.

Goshen went ahead 21-19 with 1:29 left in the half on a 54 yard run by Szemerick Andrews.

Highland Home went to the double-wing formation to open the third quarter, keeping it primarily on the ground, and breaking off huge chunks of yardage with the misdirection of multiple backs.

Washington tossed a 24-yard TD pass to Crittenden who danced down the tightrope of the left sideline without going out of bounds to go up 27-21, and Crittenden scored again on a 35-yard TD carry with 5:45 left in the third quarter for a 34-21 lead.

In the fourth quarter, there was a fumble in the backfield for Highland Home, but Crittenden caught the ball in mid-air and raced 21 yards to go up 40-21.

The Squadron took a 46-21 lead on another Crittenden TD of 3 yards, and went up 53-21 on a 94-yard pass from Washington to Tyler Chaney.

Jayden McNabb led Goshen in passing with 81 yards, while running for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyler McLendon of Goshen had four receptions for 67 yards, while Andrews had 10 carries for the Eagles for 96 yards.

Goshen is at Elba next Friday for a non-region contest, while Highland Home is at Brantley on Thursday, Sept. 26.