Brian Hagberg
RUSSELL, Pa. – Eisenhower and Cambridge Springs will try to keep pace with the Region 2 football leaders when they meet at Eisenhower Friday.
The Knights will try to rebound after Cochranton snapped their 11-game regular-season winning streak last week, while the Blue Devils will take the field for the first time since a Week 2 win at Seneca. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be live streamed on D9and10Sports.com.
Cambridge Springs (1-1 overall, 1-0 Region 2) has missed its last two scheduled contests because the school was on remote learning due to COVID issues. In-person learning resumed on Monday, and the Blue Devils were able to get the requisite four practices in this week.
Eisenhower (3-1 overall, 2-1 Region 2) couldn’t complete the comeback after falling behind 19-0 at Cochranton and ultimately fell, 34-13. The Cardinals’ Jack Martinec gashed the Knights’ defense for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries (9.17 ypc).
For the Knights to come away with a win this week, they’ll have to find a way to slow another potent rushing attack.
Garrett Hodak leads the Blue Devils with 37 carries for 292 yards (7.9 ypc) and three TDs. Van Jones has rushed 22 times for 149 yards (6.8 ypc) and a score.
The Eisenhower secondary may be called on more for run support than pass defense this week as Cambridge Springs has only attempted seven passes this season with no completions and three interceptions.
After exploding for 48 and 56 points the previous two weeks, Eisenhower’s offense was held in check against Cochranton. The Knights running back-by-committee approach has paid dividends so far this season.
Shawn Pascuzzi leads the backfield with 50 carries (for 276 yards and three scores), while Keegan Eckstrom leads the way with 385 yards (on 30 carries) and shares the team lead in TDs, five, with Benji Bauer (42 carries for 298 yards).
Garrett Jensen is 15-25 passing for 247 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Pascuzzi is 1-4 with a 65-yard TD strike to Eckstrom.
Wyatt Lookenhouse has emerged as the go-to receiver for the Knights with five receptions for 138 yards and two TDs. Bauer has 5 catches for 44 yards.
Both teams are looking to stay within a game of Cochranton and Northwestern for the top spot in Region 2. The Cardinals and Wildcats, who are both 3-0 in region play, were set to meet on Saturday, but the game was canceled due to COVID issues at Northwestern.
