The Goshen Eagles fought hard in the second half to close the gap, but an early scoring blitz by Brantley proved too much to overcome and the Bulldogs claimed a 48-20 victory on Friday night in Goshen.

The night started with both teams trading licks and forcing punts. With 5:38 left in the first quarter, Brantley (2-0, 1-0) scored its first touchdown. Chris Booker scored the first of his three first-half touchdowns on a 19-yard carry.

Goshen fought back, though. Capitalizing on a Brantley fumble deep in their territory, the Eagles used a big play to tie the game. LaCorey Teague turned a short completion from quarterback Judson Ricks into a 72-yard touchdown strike that tied the game with 41 seconds left in the first quarter.

But from then on it was Brantley's night.

Goshen had a tough time stopping the Bulldog's running game. Booker's second TD capped a long drive by the Bulldogs. His third, an 18-yard run, came with 1:44 left in the first half. Brantley controlled the ball, and the clock, and went into halftime leading 28-7.

The second half opened dismally for the Eagles, with Brantley scoring on their opening drive on a 70-yard run by Devaris Skanes.

But the Eagles would not go down without a fight. A 39-yard pass from Ricks to Derrick Foster put the Eagles in Brantley territory. A pass interference call against the Bulldogs put Goshen right on their doorstep and Foster scored from the 2 for Brantley's second touchdown.

Foster scored again midway through the fourth quarter that made it 48-20.

The Eagles scored 13 points in the second half, but could not get the momentum to overcome Brantley and the Eagles' defense could not stop the Bulldogs from scoring 20 more points in the second half.

The Bulldogs defense kept Goshen's leading rusher, Foster, under wraps. Foster would finish with 70 yards off 22 carries.

Brantley dominated the running game. The Bulldogs' Skanes finished with 140 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Goshen had slight edge in the passing game. Ricks was 5 of 11 for the Eagles with 141 yards. Brantley QB Edgar Walker was 7 of 10 for 82 yards.

Brantley, 2-0, is home against Zion Chapel next Friday. Goshen, 0-2, travels to McKenzie.