Brian Hagberg
RUSSELL, Pa. – For a split second, it looked like Eisenhower might find itself in a dogfight with Seneca Friday.
But only for a second.
Just after the Bobcats (0-3) scored to cut the Knights (3-0) lead to 14-6, Seneca tried for an onside kick. Benji Bauer caught the ball on the bounce and raced 48 yards to the endzone to put Eisenhower back up by two scores.
Seneca wouldn’t come close to the end zone again as Eisenhower went on to a 56-6 Region 5 win.
The win keeps the Knights in sole possession of first place in Region 5 and in control of their own destiny in the District 10 Class 1A playoff race.
The Knights struck quickly on their first possession as Owen Trumbull connected with Caleb Robinault for a 37-yard touchdown strike. Trumbull found Zane Alexander wide open for an 11-yard score on the next possession to put Eisenhower ahead 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
After the teams traded punts, Seneca quarterback Colin Libra found Nolan Seaberry on a quick slant that Seaberry took for 66 yards to put the Bobcats in the red zone. Three plays later Libra hooked up with Beau Barber from nine yards out to cut the lead to 14-6.
Bauer returned the ensuing onside kick attempt and a bad snap on fourth down on the ensuing Seneca possession set the Knights up inside the red zone.
Trumbull flipped to Dillon Benson, who cut in, then out and stretched the ball across the goal line to put Eisenhower ahead 28-6 early in the second quarter.
Cael Black picked up the first of his two rushing touchdowns on the night with a 24-yard scamper midway through the second quarter. He scored again from 11 yards out two minutes later to give Eisenhower a 42-6 halftime advantage.
Trumbull capped his night with a 58-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the second half.
Bauer closed out the scoring with a 37-yard run late in the third quarter.
Trumbull finished 9-11 passing for 142 yards and three touchdowns. He also had five carries for 110 yards and a score and earned Jim Kelly Player of the Game Powered by the Allegheny Grille of Foxburg honors.
Black had 12 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, Bauer had five rushes for 48 yards and a score plus the kickoff return touchdown.
Benson had five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Alexander added three catches for 32 yards and a score.
As a team, the Knights outgained the Bobcats 502-98. The Eisenhower defense held Seneca to negative rushing yards (-16) for the game.
Libra was 9-20 passing for 114 yards and the lone Bobcats touchdown.
Eisenhower hits the road next week to take on Union City, while Seneca will open the newly renovated Bob Diffenbacher Field against Iroquois.
More scores and recaps from around District 10 can be found here.
