Despite falling behind 8-0 early, Eisenhower was able to remain undefeated with a 31-8 victory.

“I told our boys they had a great defense and they came out ready to play,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said. ” … We played without some guys tonight … our depth came through on both sides of the ball.”

The Knights began on offense and drove the ball down to the Cochranton 25-yard line, but on fourth-and-9 were stopped were stopped by the Cardinals defense.

Eisenhower’s defense then put the Cardinals in a third-and-12 when Cochranton connected on an 86-yard catch and run for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion run was good putting the hosts up 8-0.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower defensive end Michael Beaver sacks Cochranton’s quarterback Friday night.

See EISENHOWER / Page B2

Two possessions later, the Knights took over at their own 17-yard line. After driving the length of the field, junior Cael Black scored on a 21-yard touchdown run over the left side of the offensive line and junior kicker Jake Venman’s point-after kick made it 8-7 with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter.

A 20-yard punt return by senior Zane Alexander then set Eisenhower up near midfield and Black ran multiple times for 43 yards down to the 1-yard line. Senior quarterback Owen Trumbull finished the drive with a quarterback sneak and another Venman kick made it 14-8 in favor of the Knights.

The Cardinals then drove to the Eisenhower 24-yard line, but Knights sophomore defensive tackle Drake Vanderhoof recovered a Cochranton fumble to give possession back to Eisenhower with 2:04 left in the half.

The Knights offense took over and quickly added to their lead. Dillon Benson caught a 15-yard pass and a 15-yard penalty by Cochranton gave Eisenhower the ball at the 37-yard line. Another pass from Trumbull to Benson for 31 yards got the Knights close and Black scored on a 1-yard run to make it 21-8 after another Venman kick with 27 seconds left in the first half.

Both defenses played tough in the third quarter before Black scored his third touchdown of the game from the 1-yard line and another Venman kick made it 28-8.

The Knights’ final points would come from Venman on a 25-yard field goal.

“Jim Penley has put together a fine team, he runs a great program and it’s great kids,” Cochranton head coach Clifton Roberts said. ” I was proud of our boys for giving them four hard quarters of football.”

Eisenhower opens the District 10 playoffs next Friday night at home against West Middlesex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.