Eisenhower’s Benji Bauer dives for more yards during a game earlier this season. Eisenhower plays its District 10 quarterfinal against Saegertown in Titusville on Friday night. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

Eisenhower travels to neutral-site location Titusville at 7 Friday night for its District 10 football quarterfinal against Saegertown.

The game, which will be played at Carter Field, will be the second time the Knights will face the Panthers in 2021 as the two teams squared off in the season opener, which Ike won, 14-0.

A lot has changed for the Knights in the last two months. Gone are quarterback/cornerback Garrett Jensen and center/defensive lineman Conner Younger, both starters who were lost to season-ending injuries. Nevertheless, Eisenhower has come together and put the pieces in place for another postseason run.

After being hit hard by graduation after their 8-1 campaign in 2020, the Knights have had a fine season, a byproduct of last year’s offensive dominance, which allowed junior varsity players to see the field for nearly half of every game. Twelve months later that experience has paid dividends as many underclassmen have assumed starting positions or are playing prominent roles on this year’s squad.

While Saegertown is 2-5, it has played tough in every game and only trailed region power Reynolds by a touchdown at halftime.

“They mix up the run game and passing game very well,” Eisenhower coach Jim Penley said. “They played Reynolds tough for a half which showed that they can physically play with anyone.”

On offense the Panthers run the wing-T, which is based on misdirection and relies heavily on confusing the defense on who has the football. All three running backs are within 20 yards of each other in season totals to date. They are led by 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior Keenan Schaaf, who has 371 yards on 70 carries with five touchdowns. Right behind him are junior Zach Yoder (58-354-1) and freshman Aaron Shartle (86-323-4).

“They have three explosive running backs in their offense, each of which is capable of scoring when they get the football,” Penley said. “We have to be disciplined.”

While Saegertown has three running backs that carry the load, the Knights’ workhorse this season has been junior Benji Bauer, whose bruising running style has produced 779 yards on 122 carries for a 6.4-yard average per carry to go along with nine touchdowns. Speedy junior Keegan Eckstrom has gained 546 yards on 52 carries for a whopping 10.5 average per carry and six touchdowns, and sophomore Shawn Pascuzzi, who has filled in nicely for Jensen at quarterback, has contributed 316 yards rushing on 65 carries and has four touchdowns.

Through the air Pascuzzi has completed 14-of-36 attempts for 255 yards and has a pair of touchdown passes. Junior Wyatt Lookenhouse has proven himself to be a reliable option at wide receiver with 13 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Senior fullback Steven Reilly has carried the ball 31 times for 159 yards and a pair of TDs.

The game is being broadcast on D9andD10sports.com as well as YourDailyLocal.com with pregame starting at 6:45 p.m. Carter Field is located 525 East Central Ave. in Titusville.