Game of the Week: Goddard vs. Goddard-Eisenhower

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – For the final game of the week of the high school football regular season, we head west of Wichita for a big rivalry matchup between the Goddard High Lions and the Goddard-Eisenhower Tigers.

Goddard-Eisenhower senior offensive lineman Nate Purkey believes it will be a fun game, “I think it’s a pretty good matchup because we’re both hard-working teams, and I just think it’s going to make the game more exciting.”

“It’s definitely a big game. You can definitely feel the environment,” added Goddard senior cornerback Sandler Bowyer. “That changes. Not just for this game, but for the whole season, we’ve definitely mentioned that.”

Our review begins with the away team, even though they are playing at their high school, the Goddard Lions. After going winless in a game a year ago, the Lions are now 5-2 this season after a tough 47-42 loss to Salina Central in Week 7.

“Emotions are very high,” explained Goddard High senior cornerback Carter Clyne. “Confidence is very high and the temperature is very high. We really hustled and we’re just trying to get ready for the game.”

As for the Goddard-Eisenhower Tigers, the team has had its ups and downs throughout the season, but they could potentially really improve their playoff berth with a win against their cross-town rival.

“Ultimately, just understanding their defense and just capitalizing on their weaknesses,” Goddard-Eisenhower senior guard Caleb Lowry said. “I mean, we’re doing our film. We just need to bring more intensity for my guys. We’re both good teams. It really comes down to who’s more physical and ready to win.”

They enter this game as underdogs, but they certainly have a chance to pull off an upset. Tigers coach Darrin Fisher expects a physical football game between the rival schools.

“Hard-fought game,” Fisher said. “Every year when we play Goddard with the rivalry, you know it’s going to be a tough game. We know we’re going to be in the fight for four quarters. It’s going to be a physical, tough game, courtesy of some terrible Friday night football. So that’s what we’re preparing our kids. Play well for four quarters, play hard for four quarters, and that’s it.”

And while Eisenhower is just 2-5 this year, the Lions know this rivalry game will be very close.

“Rivalry games are rivalry games because everyone is so energetic,” Goddard High head football coach Tommy Beason explained. “We have 400 kids in our youth program that we share together. Both high schools just played each other last week for their last game of the year. We’ve been running this thing since second grade, competing against each other. road to varsity football . So when you do that in the community, all it does is elevate everybody, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”