The Goshen Eagles got off to a fast start and never looked back in its season opener against G.W. Long.

While most Eagles tend to use the air as a means of getting from one place to another, these Eagles used the ground, as GHS finished with 445 yards rushing in a huge 45-14 victory over the Rebels at the Eagle’s Nest.

“This was step one,” head coach Bart Snyder told his team after the game. “We have a long way to go, but we got the first win under our belts and I am proud of you for it.”

It did not take long for GHS to secure their first win either.

Despite its first possession of the game, which end with an interception and a G.W. Long touchdown, the Eagles dominated on offense scoring a touchdown on the next five possessions.

A big part of the offensive attack came from Marcus Jackson, who opened the season in grand fashion. On just his fourth carry of the game, the senior ran 81 yards to the endzone to give his Eagles a 7-6 lead and one it would not give up. After a Reginald Foster touchdown in GHS’ next possession, Jackson would score again on a 17-yard run to give the Eagles a 20-6 lead.

Foster and quarterback Jerome Lawrence would add a touchdown run apiece to put the Eagles up 32-14 at the half.

“It felt great to be out on the field, playing in a real game,” Jackson said. “I though the offensive line did a great job giving me lanes to run through. It all started with them (Thursday night).”

Jackson would finish the game with 221 yards on the ground off of eight carries, and also add one reception for 20 yards.

His junior running back counterpart, Foster, rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries and also finished with two touchdowns. And like Jackson, Foster thanked his lineman after the game.

“This was a big win and (the offensive line) was a big part of it,” Foster said. “It felt good to get this victory in a home opener. It felt good to put a smile on our fan’s faces.”

Last season, the Eagles started off on a different note, thanks to a opening loss on the road against Abbeville.

What a difference a year makes.

“I am very proud of the guys for how they played (Thursday night),” Snyder said as both coaches and supporters hugged him after the game.

The Eagles’ offense finished the game with 473 total yards and got 15 first downs. On the opposite side of the ball, the Rebels struggled to do anything as it was held to just five first downs and had three turnovers.

“I thought our offensive line did a great job and I thought our defense also played great (Thursday night),” Snyder said. “Both groups had been working really hard the last couple of weeks and tonight they showed us what they were made out of.

“Our leaders did their job and made everything easy for the rest of the team – everyone played great,” the coach added.