Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower will look to rebound from last week’s loss when it entertains Cambridge Springs at 7 p.m. Friday.

RUSSELL — The 3-1 Eisenhower football team is coming off a loss to Cochranton last week, the program’s first region setback since Oct. 11, 2019.

On Friday, the Knights will attempt to get back on the winning track when they welcome Cambridge Springs, a team that has not played a game since September 3. The school district went to off-site learning and suspended all athletics due to COVID-19 issues nearly three weeks ago.

The Blue Devils are 1-1 on the season and, in the words of Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley, “Cambridge Springs is a hard nose, big, physical football team. Coach Liberty does a great job coaching sound techniques and fundamentals.”

The Knights feature a potent rushing attack with sophomore tailback Shawn Pascuzzi (14 carries, 128 yards) coming off his first 100-yard rushing game. Pascuzzi also connected on a 65-yard touchdown pass last week, and speedy junior Keegan Eckstrom, who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The Knights are averaging a robust 277 yards rushing per game for nearly 7 yards per carry.

The Blue Devils are a team that likes to run the football, too. In fact, in their first two games, they’ve attempted only seven passes, completed none and have been intercepted three times.

“Their running game is going to definitely be a test for us, as last week our defense did not handle the run line we have the last year,” Penley said. “We have to be better to increase our chances for a win.”

The Blue Devils average 5.5 yards per carry and have averaged 251 yard rushing in their first two games.

The young Knights team will be tested and it may come down to which team’s defense stops the other’s ground game. One interesting side note to the game tonight, Cambridge Springs has turned the ball over four times in two games while the Knights have forced six turnovers and blocked a punt.

“They are just old-school, run, run and run some more until they are stopped,” Penley said. “Their team defense is very physical. This will be a tremendous test for our football team.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Russell.