Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower coach Jim Penley talks with his offense.

The Eisenhower is on the road today, traveling to Seneca High School to face the winless Bobcats in a rare 3 p.m. kickoff. It’s the first Saturday afternoon game for the Knights since they opened the 2019 season against West Middlesex.

The Knights are coming off of a 61-8 victory over Iroqouis last Friday, a win that gave them the outright Region 5 title.

On paper, this might appear a meaningless game for the Knights, but it is a very important matchup as an Eisenhower win would give it home-field advantage throughout the District 10 playoffs.

The Knights’ offense is firing on all cylinders. Senior quarterback Owen Trumbull is coming off a record-setting performance in last week’s win, completing 10 of 14 passes for six touchdown passes — all in the first-half. On the season Trumbull has been extremely proficient, completing 49 of 74 passes for 931 yards and 15 touchdowns. The ground game for the Knights has been a steady dose of junior Cael Black, who is averaging 9.6 yards per carry on his way to 468 yards on 49 carries and 10 touchdowns.

With five receivers averaging more than 15 yards per reception they are a group that is capable of taking it to the end zone every time they touch the football. They are led by senior Dillon Benson with 19 receptions for 397 yards and five scores.

“Our offense is playing very well right now,” Knights head coach Jim Penley said. “The line is playing physical and must continue to win the line of scrimmage. We have stressed this week playing mistake-free football, concentrating on doing the little things better.”

Eisenhower’s defense has been stifling, allowing an average of only 4 points per game. Their ball-hawking, gang-tackling defense prides itself on creating turnovers (15 on the season) and is led by seniors Jared Beers and Colby Hagg and junior Gannon Jaquay.

“Our defense has to continue imposing its will on their opponents,” Penley said. “I told the team that from here on out we are the ones with the bulls-eye on our back. We don’t have the luxury of taking any game lightly.”

The Knights have a lot on the line today and could make history. With a win, they would play host to a home playoff game for the first time in school history.

Today’s game will be live-streamed on the D9and10Sports.com website.