LAWRENCE PARK - On the winning track.
Steadily improving over the past two seasons, Eisenhower won its second straight Region 2 game in the 2012 season, 39-8 over Iroquois. In fact, after losing to non-region Mercer to open the season, it was the second straight dominant performance for Eisenhower (2-1, 2-0 in region) with Mercyhurst Prep on the horizon.
Already with a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter, Knights quarterback Aaron Lundmark and receiver Nathan O'Brien connected on 44-yard pass to increase the lead to 14. O'Brien finished the game with five receptions for a total of 142 yards, all in the first half.
Eisenhower came into the second half with a 20-0 lead, and started off the same way in the second. Alex Johnson's touchdown run midway through the third quarter - his second of the game - made it 26-0.
The Braves were finally able to respond with a 23-yard pass from Dylan Carpin to Matt McClean.
"We gave that one up," said Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley. "It shouldn't have happened."
Penley said a strong defense against Iroquois was going to be the key to winning.
"The big thing was to focus on defense," said Penley. "Iroquois can put up points. So defensively we had to get better for this game."
Last week, the Braves rallied back in the fourth quarter against the Youngsville Eagles to almost steal a win; however, the Knights' John Pascuzzi was not going to let that happen to Eisenhower.
Pascuzzi ran in two hard-fought touchdowns, both for three yards, to ensure a Knights' victory. Pascuzzi lead Eisenhower with 126 yards. The entire team rushed for 331 yards with nine different ball carriers.
"At the end of the day, we've got to make sure we finish the drive," Penley said. "If we are picking up yards, we aren't going to play around."
Eisenhower has scored 87 points in its last two games and has improved to 2-1. The Knights' will need to continue to score a lot of points, as Mercyhurst Prep will come to town for a Region 2 showdown. Mercyhurst beat previously-undefeated Cochranton, 41-34, on Friday to improve to 2-0 in Region 2.
Eisenhower-Iroquois Stats
Eisenhower713613-39
Iroquois0080-8
First Quarter
E-Alex Johnson 1 run, Nathan O'Brien kick, 8:44
Second Quarter
E-O'Brien 44 pass from Aaron Lundmark, O'Brien kick, 11:23
E-Rob Wilston 10 run, kick failed, 2:21
Third Quarter
E-Johnson 13 run, kick blocked, 6:08
I-Matt McClean 23 pass from Dylan Carpin, Jaydon Cagnoli 2-pt pass from Braydon Roda, 3:19
Fourth Quarter
E-John Pascuzzi 3 run, kick failed, 9:39
E- Pascuzzi 3 run, O'Brien kick, 3:19
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EI
Offensive Plays5443
First downs179
Rushes-yards42-33135-117
Passing16035
Total Yards491152
Comp-Att-Int6-12-03-8-1
Fumbles-Lost1-12-1
Penalties-Yards8-694-42
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING- E- Pascuzzi 19-126, 2 TD, Carter Farrell 5-71, Johnson 5-26, 2 TD, Wilston 5-63, 1 TD, Lundmark 1-4, Coty Cantrell 1-3, Bryce Garris 4-35, Drew Myer 1-5, Louie Head 1-(-2); I-Alex Williams 15-45, Roda 7-25, Jason McShane 7-46, Dylan Carpin 5-3, Nic Burks 1-(-2).
PASSING- E- Lundmark 5 of 11 for 122, 1 TD, Wilston 1 of 1 for 38 yards. I-Carpin 3 of 8 for 35 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
RECEIVING- E- Jake Johnson 1-18, O'Brien 5-142, 1 TD. I-Roda 2-12, McClean 1-23, 1 TD.