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The Goshen Eagles (8-2) knocked off the Washington County Bulldogs (6-5) by a score of 55-22 at home in the first round of the Class 2A State Playoffs on Friday.

The game marked Goshen’s first home playoff game in the first round of the playoffs since 2019 and it was the Eagles’ most lopsided playoff win since winning 36-0 in the first round in 2019. The 55 points was also the third most points scored in the playoffs by a Goshen team in school history.

“Coming out we wanted to be physical and we wanted to play four full quarters and I think our guys rose to that challenge, especially in the first half with our starters in,” Goshen Coach Don Moore said. “What’s good is these guys have done it for a long time and they came out here expecting to win and they weren’t going to accept anything less.”

Goshen came out swinging from the first drive, scoring in just three plays, and never looked back. The Eagles scored on a 48-yard run from Jayden McNabb with 10:24 left in the first quarter and after a Washington County fumble, McNabb added a 40-yard score to put GHS up 14-0 with 9:27 left in the first period. Szemerick Andrews added a 36-yard scoring run with 5:15 left in the opening period and the Eagles led 21-0 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same as McNabb scored his third touchdown of the half on a 1-yard run with 11:55 left. Andrews added a 37-yard run with 8:04 left in the half and then Tyler McLendon scored on a 2-yard run to give the Eagles a 42-0 halftime lead.

Goshen outgained Washington County 322-64 in yardage in the first half. GHS played the majority of the second half with backups. The Bulldogs finally got on the scoreboard with a 14-yard touchdown pass from CJ Jordan to Landon Dearman with 7:21 left in the third quarter to cut the lead to 42-8 after a two-point conversion. Goshen answered right back, however, as Andrews scored on a 52-yard run with 7:02 left in the third. The PAT was no good and Goshen led 48-8.

With just 56 seconds left in the third quarter, Jaylon Vinson scored on a 5-yard run to extend the Eagle lead to 55-8 going into the fourth quarter. Washington County scored on a 34-yard run from Rylee Brantley with 9:19 left and Tre Smith scored on an 86-yard run as time expired. Washington County made 1-of-2 two-point tries in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 55-22.

For the game, Goshen rolled up 459 yards to Washington County’s 304 yards, with most of that coming in the second half. The Eagles rolled up 385 yards on the ground. Both Goshen and Washington County were penalized 10 times. The Eagles turned the ball over once and forced two turnovers.

Andrews rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries, while McNabb rushed for 102 yards and three scores on just four carries. Andrews averaged 23 yards per carry, while McNabb averaged 25.5 yards per carry. Vinson also rushed for 83 yards and a score on 12 carries, while McLendon tallied 44 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. McNabb also completed 4-of-5 passes for 74 yards and Jumari Flowers caught a 58 yard pass.

McLendon led the Goshen defense with seven tackles, while Landon Chandler added six tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Jerbauri Williams intercepted a pass and McNabb recovered a fumble.

In other area playoff action, Ariton bested Loachapoka by a score of 14-7 in the first round, while Zion Chapel fell to Clarke County by a score of 41-12 to be eliminated from the playoffs.

Goshen now advances to the second round of the state playoffs for the second consecutive year and will travel to Cottonwood next Friday. Cottonwood defeated Lanett in the first round.