Brian Hagberg
After rolling to lopsided wins the first two weeks of the season, Eisenhower can seize control of Region 5 with a win over visiting Seneca Friday.
The Knights (2-0) topped Union City, 47-0, in Week 1 and jumped out to a 27-0 first quarter lead en route to a 55-6 win at Iroquois in Week 2. A win this week will keep Eisenhower a full game in front of the Union City/Iroquois winner, and would give them a victory over each of their Region 5 opponents.
Eisenhower’s offense has been firing on all cylinders through two games. Quarterback Owen Trumbull is 19-36 for 367 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. Dillon Benson has been his top target thus far with seven receptions for 205 yards and three scores. Cael Black has four catches for 59 yards, and Zane Alexander has a pair of receptions for 35 yards and a score.
On the ground, Black has run the ball 21 times for 150 yards (7.1 ypc) and three touchdowns. Trumbull has nine carries for 34 yards and a score and Colby Hagg (who moved from offensive line to fullback) has four rushes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Alexander has only run the ball twice, but both went for touchdowns (42, 5).
Benji Bauer and Steven Reilly have picked up a number of carries late in both games and both have run for chunks of yards. Bauer has nine totes for 63 yards and Reilly has seven carries for 40 yards and a score. Keegan Eckstrom sprinted his way through the defense for a 48-yard touchdown against Iroquois.
The Knights defense may be even more impressive. They went nearly seven full quarters before surrendering a point and never allowed Union City to cross midfield. Eisenhower has amassed 25 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks through two games. Opposing quarterbacks are just 2-9 passing for 3 yards through two games. The defense has created eight turnovers (seven fumbles and an interception).
Seneca (0-2) meanwhile, comes into the contest looking to give new coach Don Einhouse his first victory. The Bobcats fell to Iroquois, 55-30, in Week 1 and lost to Union City, 38-22, in Week 2.
Ryan Miller ran for 137 yards and a score and Colin Libra threw for 150 and a score in the loss to Union City.
This game was originally scheduled to be played at Seneca, but the Bobcats are renovating their field and the turf isn’t ready yet. The Oct. 17 game between the two teams originally set as a home game for the Knights will now be played at Seneca.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the D9and10Sports and Your Daily Local Facebook pages. The broadcast is sponsored locally by the Eisenhower Football Boosters, KC Auto Glass, Wilcox Brothers True Value and The Bucket Café.
