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By Caleb Thomas

The Goshen Eagles dominated Alabama Christian Academy in a 40-7 victory Friday night. Goshen crushed ACA in front of a jubilant crowd at Eagle Field.

Goshen’s explosive offense, which rushed for 351 yards, propelled them to a statement win. The team had three rushers with over 85 yards.

“We came out and took it to them,” said Goshen head coach Dan Moore. “Our offensive line was up there pushing those guys and having their way with them.”

Szemerick Andrews, a running back and linebacker for Goshen, made his mark on the game. He rushed for 91 yards on 9 carries, and scored two rushing touchdowns to pair with a sack, pass deflection and punt block.

“He’s a football player, and it doesn’t matter where he’s at,” Moore said of Andrews. “Whether it’s offense, defense or special teams you feel comfortable that he’s going to go make a play.”

Goshen quarterback Jayden McNabb was all over the field, particularly in the first half.

McNabb went 6-for-7 passing, throwing for 87 yards and a touchdown. He connected with wide receiver Tyler McLendon for a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter, giving Goshen a lead it never relinquished.

McLendon had a spectacular game as well. Aside from the touchdown reception – where he dropped an ACA defender with a nasty juke move – the wideout broke off a 46-yard run late in the first half to give the Eagles a field goal.

Both offenses went blow-for-blow in the first half, continually putting together long, tough drives.

However, Goshen protected its early 7-0 lead with a clutch goal line stand towards the end of the first quarter. McNabb, who also plays defensive back, made tackles on third and goal and fourth and goal to stop ACA in its tracks.

“We preach defense all the time,” Moore said. “They did a great job there and our defensive coordinator had everyone in the right spot.”

Following the goal line stop, McNabb dashed off on a 32-yard run to move the Eagles up the field. While a sack put Goshen in a tough spot, Andrews evaded multiple defenders on a 43-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0.

Alabama Christian immediately battled back, driving down the field. ACA running back AC Walters – a Troy commit – capped off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown to cut the Goshen lead down to seven points.

With time in the first half dwindling, McLendon took a direct snap and made a huge play to set up Zion Picatoste. The Goshen kicker drilled a 39-yard field goal to end the first half and widen the lead to 17-7.

The Eagles pulled away early in the second half behind Andrews, who wreaked havoc on the defensive end. After a third-down pass deflection, Andrews swooped in to block the punt and give Goshen excellent field position.

On the very next play, Josh Terry scored a 45-yard rushing touchdown to widen the lead to 23-7 Goshen. Terry had 90 yards on just four carries.

Andrews picked up right where he left off, recording a sack to stop the ensuing drive. He scored his second rushing touchdown from five yards out to put the game out of reach in the third quarter.

Pike County added 10 more points on the night, with McNabb rushing for a touchdown and Picatoste hitting another field goal.

The Eagles continue their season with a road contest at Zion Chapel next Friday at 7 p.m. CT.