The Knights offensive line continues to pave the way for whomever is carrying the ball for the offense.

“Our line did a phenomenal job tonight opening lanes for our backs,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said. “Union City put nine guys in the box and rushed seven when we passed and once again did not give up a sack. Those guys: Connor Younger, Caleb Penley, Jaydon Chase, JJ Darr, Mike Vanatta and Kris Bunk just did an outstanding job.”

The Bears pinned the Knights on their own 1-yard line when they downed a punt. Eisenhower took over and drove 99 yards with junior quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi calling his own number for the score. The first of five successful PAT kicks for junior Cole Kellogg was good putting the Knights up 7-0.

The Eisenhower defense forced Union City to punt and they tried a fake-punt pass, which fell incomplete. Just three minutes later, Pascuzzi would hook up with senior wideout Wyatt Lookenhouse for a 37-yard touchdown pass and a 14-0 lead.

Eisenhower’s Caleb Penley and Kris Bunk combine for a sack of Union City’s quarterback Friday. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

The visiting Bears could not muster a first down and once again attempted another unsuccessful fake punt. The Knights took over just before the half. Pascuzzi dove over from the 1-yard line with 7.6 seconds left in the half for a 21-0 lead.

Union City got the ball at midfield and put up a pass that Knights sophomore Ryan Chambers picked off to end the first half.

“I have to give Union City credit, they came right at us and played hard. We played well against them,” Penley said. “Junior fullback Tucker Lindell just continues to play well, nothing fancy, just grinding for us.”

Benji Bauer ran for a 43-yard touchdown and on the next offensive play for Union City, the Knights senior cornerback returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown.

The Knights defense earned the shutout with 20 plays for negative yardage.

“I thought our linebackers had a great game,” Penley said. “Those guys Benji Bauer, Caleb Penley, Kris Bunk and Mikael Beaver just shut down their outside run game.”

Pascuzzi threw for 127 yards and a touchdown while Bauer ran for 125 yards and a score.

The Knights are home next week against Seneca.