“We knew they were exceptionally fast and would make some plays tonight but I thought our guys responded well,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said. “It was a good team win.”

The Knights scored on offense, defense and special teams against a team that was averaging over 400 yards of offense.

“I thought, once again, we shut a good team down,” Penley said.

Seneca received the opening kickoff and quickly found itself in a fourth-and-16 after a Benji Bauer sack. The Knights took over, taking just 1:14 for Owen Trumbull to find Caleb Robinault for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Jake Venman’s point-after kick was good and the Knights led 7-0 just two minutes into the game.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Benji Bauer sacks Seneca’s quarterback during Friday night’s game.

The Bobcats quickly found themselves with a fourth-and-17 after the ensuing kickoff thanks to a Cael Black sack. The Knights took over after a punt and worked down to the 11-yard line before Trumbull connected with Zane Alexander on a touchdown pass, Venman connected again making the score 14-0 in favor of the Knights.

The Bobcats were not intimidated by the Knights defense and would connect on a 60-yard pass play giving them a first-and-10 from the Knights’ 14-yard-line. After an encroachment penalty, it was first-and-5 from the 9-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Seneca would score on a 9-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point attempt was no good after a sack by Bauer, leaving the score 14-6 in favor of the Knights.

Seneca would attempt an onside kick, but Bauer was ready and picked the ball out of the air, returning the ball 50 yards for a touchdown. Venman’s kick was good once again making the score 21-6 in favor of the Knights.

“I thought those two played a great game,” Penley said of Bauer and senior Jared Beers. “Beers, especially, had some monster hits for us tonight.”

After Seneca suffered a mishap on a punt, Eisenhower took over at the 21-yard line. On second down, Trumbull connected with Dillon Benson for a 21-yard touchdown that made it 28-6 after another Venman PAT.

The Bobcats gained very little positive yardage rushing the ball all evening putting them in passing situations and Ike sophomore Bauer would once again get to the Bobcats quarterback for a 12-yard loss putting the Bobcats into punt formation once again. Ike Senior Colby Hagg nearly blocked the punt putting the Knights in good field position on the Seneca 21-yard line with 8:59 left in the quarter. It would take the Black running in from the 24-yard line to put the Knights up 35-6 with 4:35 left in the quarter.

Alexander recovered a Bobcats fumble and the Knights were knocking on the door once again. With 3:21 left, Black would score on an 11-yard touchdown run making the score 42-6 at the half.

The Knights received the second-half kickoff and it took them all of 31 seconds before Trumbull would score on a 58-yard run putting the Knights up 49-6.

“Our offensive line just dominated the line of scrimmage,” Penley said. “Owen had time all night which allowed him to throw downfield. I don’t believe they have given up a sack this season.”

The Knights jayvee players began to enter the game and Bauer completed his outstanding game taking the handoff from Garrett Jenson on the Seneca 37-yard line, breaking several tackles and scoring the final touchdown for the Knights. Venman completed his perfect night making his seventh PAT kick to make the final score 56-6 for the Knights.

The Knights will be on the road next week against Union City on Friday night.