SHARPSVILLE - The rain held off, but not the fifth ranked Class A team in the state.
The only Class A team out of District 10 to ever win a state championship, Sharpsville powered past Eisenhower, 60-0, on Saturday night at Sharpsville High School.
"They are ranked in the state for a reason," said Ike coach Jim Penley, whose young Knights gained just 88 yards of total offense to the Blue Devils' 527.
Seven different Sharpsville players scored touchdowns, including six different players rushing for touchdowns.
While Sharpsville has nearly everyone back from last year's team and is a favorite to contend for the District 10 Class A title, Eisenhower has very few seniors. At one point, the Knights had a freshman or sophomore in every skill position.
"No one backed down," said Penley. "This is the best team we will see this year, without a doubt."
Penley said he told his players after the game that Sharpsville won just three games in a season four years ago, emphasizing how far they've come as a now senior-ladened team.
Lesson learned.
"You're never happy to lose, but (our guys) played terribly hard," said Penley, whose Knights host Maplewood Friday.
Ike sophomore running back John Pascuzzi had 20 tough carries, including runs of 15 and 18 yards. The sophomore combination of quarterback Aaron Lundmark and receiver Jeb Fedorchuk hooked up on a 32-yard pass play. But the Knights managed just two first downs for the game to Sharpsville's 16, and Eisenhower turned the ball over twice.
Sharpsville didn't make any mistakes.
Sharpsville led 47-0 at halftime and had 16 plays over 10 yards in the game.
