The two teams traded blows for over 41 minutes of game action before either could dent the scoreboard.

Unfortunately for the Knights, it didn’t go there way, in what has been a season of near-misses.

On 3rd-and-14 from the 15 yard-line, Reynolds quarterback Sean O’Hara connected with Aidan Mull in the corner of the end zone with 6:17 remaining.

It was the only score of the game, as the Raiders held on for a 6-0 victory.

Eisenhower’s Aiden Farrell brings down Reynolds’ Jordan DeCarmen in the open field during the second half of Friday’s game at the Pasture of Pain.

The loss dropped the Knights’ record to 1-6, with five of those losses coming by a combined 25 points, including two in overtime.

“Never,” Eisenhower coach Jim Penley said

if he’s ever had a team endure this many close losses in a season. “But I’ve never had a season where I’ve been more proud of a group of guys. I love these guys. I love them. They play with such an energy. They go out and they play a good Reynolds team out of Mercer County. It was a classic slugfest, back and forth.”

The closest either team came to scoring in the first half came when Reynolds had a 4th-and-goal from the Eisenhower 6 late in the first quarter.

The Knight defense stood tall, however, and kept the Raiders (4-3) out of the end zone.

Eisenhower had a great defensive effort for four quarters, and it started up front with the defensive line.

Eisenhower’s Zane Alexander makes a diving catch on a pass from quarterback Owen Trumbull during the second half of Friday’s game.

“The d-line is playing their tails off . (Joe) Bauer and (Carter) Knapp have just been horses. Cael Black has made some really nice plays in the last couple of weeks,” noted Penley.

“(William) Schwanke coming back last week was huge for us. Dillon Benson has really been coming on at inside linebacker. All in all, I could name every one of the guys that’s been improving so much throughout the year. But it starts up front.”

Eisenhower had a 4th-and-1 from its own 26 on the ensuing drive, and decided to go for it.

Black, just a freshman, was able to bull his way for two yards and pick it up.

“I believe in my guys,” Penley said. “I knew they were going to pick up that yardage. I joked that it’s the type of call that gets me fired or makes me look like a genius. The kids made me look good.”

Eisenhower freshman Cael Black brings down Reynolds running back Tyrese Baker.

The Knights drive stalled shortly after that, however, and they were forced to punt, and neither team threatened again before the half.

“We’re not getting the W’s, but when you play the way we do, I couldn’t be more proud,” Penley said.

Reynolds, thanks to runs of 16 yards by Cole Toy and 17 from Tyrese Baker, drove down inside the Eisenhower 20, but again, the Knights defense didn’t break, forcing an incomplete pass on 4th-and-11.

As good as Eisenhower’s defense was, Reynolds was their equal. In fact, they allowed Eisenhower to cross midfield just once all game.

A roughing the punter penalty allowed the ensuing Ike drive to continue, but, after a first down completion from Owen Trumbull to Zane Alexander, the drive stalled.

Both teams traded punts early in the fourth before Reynolds got great field position at the EHS 37 and took advantage.

A 31-yard pass from O’Hara to Chance Westover set up the Raiders with a first down at the Ike 11. After a pair of negative plays, O’Hara and Mull connected on 3rd-and-14.

Despite another heartbreaking loss, the Knights continue to leave it all on the field.

“You get tired of saying it, but as an adult, as a man, you couldn’t be more proud of seeing a group of young men stepping up the way these guys have,” he said. “All I ever hope is that my staff and I are part of producing really good young men that will fight through any adversity. That’s what this is about.”

The Knights will search for their second win next week when they travel to Maplewood.

– – –

By Quarters

Reynolds 0 0 0 6–6

Eisenhower 0 0 0 0–0

Fourth Quarter

R – Aidan Mull 15 pass from Sean O’Hara (2-point conversion failed) 6:17

——

R E

First downs 11 11

Total Net Yards 300 127

Rushes-yards 35-215 30-69

Passing 85 58

Comp-Att-Int 7-12-0 5-13-0

Punts 3-41.0 3-30.5

Fumbles-Lost 2-0 4-2

Penalties-Yards 8-75 4-25

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Reynolds: Toy 7-98, Baker 8-36, O’Hara 9-31, DeCarmen 7-26, Thompson 4-24; Eisenhower: Chambers 19-69, Black 4-22, Alexander 3-2, Trumbull 4-(minus) 24

PASSING–Reynolds: O’Hara 7-of-12, 85 yards, 1 TD; Eisenhower: Trumbull 5-of-12, 58 yards; Chambers 0-of-1

RECEIVING–Reynolds: Westover 2-61, Mull 1-15, 1 TD, Thompson 2-7, Baker 1-2, Toy 1-0; Eisenhower: Head 2-32, Chambers 1-14, Alexander 2-12