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The Goshen Eagles (6-2) will end the regular season this Friday, Nov. 1, on the road at Class 4A’s Straughn Tigers (5-4).

Goshen is coming off a resounding 42-12 Class 2A, Area 3 win over the Luverne Tigers last week.

“I’m extremely proud of the way we played Friday night,” GHS Coach Don Moore said. “We had a couple of miscues on defense in the first half and I just went into halftime and challenged our guys to compete harder and be more physical and that’s exactly what they did in the second half and (Luverne) didn’t score again after halftime. Offensively, defensively and special teams we played a really good football game.”

Goshen led 21-12 at halftime but outscored the Tigers 21-0 in the second half. Quarterback Jayden McNabb had a big night for the Eagle offense, completing 5-of-7 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns along with 137 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Tyler McLendon caught three of those passes for 113 yards and a score, while also recording eight tackles on defense.

Szemerick Andrews also had a big night on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown along with catching a touchdown pass and returning an interception for a touchdown. Jacoby Brunson also totaled eight tackles and two tackles-for-loss on defense.

The win against Luverne also secured home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the Eagles.

“It’s huge,” Moore flatly said of getting a first round home playoff game. “That was one of our goals this year. One of our goals was to go undefeated at home, and we’ve done that so far, and another goal was to host the first round. To reach that goal – and secure a first round home game for the first time since 2019 – is really big for our program. I’m extremely proud and happy for that.”

Next up, is the regular season finale against the Straughn Tigers on Friday night. Straughn is also playoff bound in the bigger Class 4A.

“Straughn is a physical football team that loves to establish the run and they are a disciplined football team,” Moore said. “We have to go there and play a really good football game to win. They made the playoffs this year, as well, and it’s Senior Night for them. We have to play well and be prepared for the hostile environment we’ll be in. This will be a good road test for us.”

Goshen and Straughn have met a total of 17 times in the past with the Eagles holding an 11-6 edge over the Tigers. The two sides, though, haven’t met since 2001 when none of the players today were born yet. That last meeting was a 28-21 Goshen win.

While this game is inconsequential to the playoffs, Moore and his Eagles aren’t about to let up.

“It’s the next game we have,” Moore emphasized. “We expect to go out and compete and win every game on our schedule. That’s the next one in front of us and that will be the message this week. I fully believe in that. I don’t believe in sitting people or taking plays off. I want to go and compete and win.”

Goshen will battle Straughn at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Tiger Stadium in Straughn.