Eisenhower quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi calls a play during a game earlier this season. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

When Eisenhower travels to Maplewood on Friday night, it will be facing a team that is similar in many ways.

The Knights, who are 5-2 overall and 4-1 in Region 3, are coming off a 41-6 victory over Iroquois last week when both Benji Bauer and Keegan Eckstrom rushed for more than 100 yards and they each scored a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi also had a solid game, completing 5 of 8 passes for 100 yards and a TD strike.

Maplewood (4-3, 3-2) is led defensively by eight senior players who have played together for three years and bring a nasty attitude to their game.

“They play a very physical and aggressive defense that goes after the ball carrier,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Pensley said. “They are very good at creating turnovers.”

The Tigers are led on offense by Ben Gilberto’s 610 yards rushing on 120 carries and Dominic Kinney, who has chipped in 153 yards on 33 carries.

The Knights, meanwhile, are led by Bauer’s 711 yards on 104 carries and nine touchdowns, Eckstrom has added 540 yards on 50 carries and six touchdowns and Pascuzzi has 310 yards on the ground to go along with 243 yards through the air. Pascuzzi’s go-to target has become Wyatt Lookenhouse, who has 12 receptions for 255 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy Eckstrom, who has become a threat to score every time he touches the football, has three receptions for 92 yards and a score.