Two defensive goal line stops against Geneva County caused the Pleasant Home Eagles to clinch a Class 1A state playoff berth Friday night.

The Eagles beat Geneva County, 28-14.

This is the first time Pleasant Home had advanced to the playoffs since 2006. PHS coach Robert Bradford was on staff as a coordinator then.

“It was a hard fought game for sure,” Bradford said. “I didn’t know if we were going to pull it out or not. Geneva County is pretty dang good.”

In the third quarter, Geneva County was inside the Pleasant Home goal line, and Justin Holt made a great defensive stop all the way across the field, Bradford said.

“He ran all the way across the field and knocked the tail-back out of bounds at the two-yard line,” Bradford said. “The quarterback then rolls out and throws a pass, where Colter Poole knocks it out of the hands of the receiver.

“That was pretty huge,” he said.

To end the game, the defense stopped the Bulldogs inside the 10-yard line on a fourth-and-goal play at the four-yard line.

The Eagles took a knee to win the game with 18 seconds left on the clock.

On offense, Pleasant Home’s Frank Senn rushed 374 yards on 31 carries and scored three touchdowns. Eagles quarterback Cory Sims rushed 23 yards on nine carries and a score. Sims was 5-of-14 for 60 yards in passing.

Hunter Weaver had three receptions for 32 yards, and Jeffrey Slaughter had two receptions for 28 yards.

An excited and happy Bradford said the team accomplished its goals they set before the season started with the win over the Bulldogs.

“For all of that hard work and dedication to come through for them — it’s really awesome,” Bradford said of the team. “I’m so happy for these kids that they finally got a little taste of success.”

The Bulldogs scored on their second offensive series when Pleasant Home couldn’t get anything going. With a missed PAT, the Bulldogs led 6-0.

Then, the Eagles tied the game up 6-6 on a touchdown rush by Senn.

Before halftime, the Eagles stopped Geneva County on defense, and went up eight points on another touchdown run by Senn. The two-point conversion was good, and Pleasant Home led 14-6.

Senn scored his last touchdown of the night early in the third quarter on a 59-yard rush, and kicker Evan Yates punched the ball in for the PAT. PHS led 21-6 at this point.

Geneva County made it a one-possession game on its next series with a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

“It was down to the wire the whole game,” Bradford said.

On Pleasant Home’s last offensive drive of the night, Senn drove the ball down on a 51-yard run by Senn to the Geneva County five-yard line. Sims then punched the ball in from one yard out to seal the win. Yates’ PAT attempt was good.

Pleasant Home improves to 5-4 overall, and 4-3 in Class 1A, Region 2.

Next week, the Eagles will travel to play Cottage Hill.