Local Sports

Ike crowned Region 2 champs with win over Northwestern

ALBION -- The Eisenhower Knights traveled to Northwestern on Saturday and improved their record to a perfect 8-0 by defeating the Wildcats 31-25 and, in the process, were crowned Region 2 champions.

Knights junior quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi, fresh off of a 20-of-24, 250-yard passing effort last week only had to attempt six passes with one completion on Saturday, as Eisenhower's ground game was firing on all cylinders.

"I was unbelievably proud of our offensive lineman and the leadership in particular of our seniors, Mike Vanatta, Conner Younger and Caleb Penley," Knights head coach Jim Penley said. "Northwestern did a lot of different things up front with their defensive front to stop our running game, and not only did they make adjustments that were needed, but it was the entire line and the blocking of fullback Tucker Lindell that absolutely controlled the tempo of the game for us offensively."

The Knights took the opening kickoff and ran headfirst into the Wildcat defense and were forced into a quick punt, one of only two on the night. Next, the Wildcats attempted to move the ball and they ran into senior Caleb Penley, who sacked their quarterback for a six-yard loss which forced a punt to the Knights. Eisenhower drove to the Wildcats' 17-yard line when Penley called senior wingback Keegan Eckstrom's number on a counter play and the senior sprinted in for a 17-yard touchdown run. Senior tailback Benj Bauer scored the first of his three two-point conversions to put the knights up 8-0.

The Wildcats took over at their own 32-yard line, after a perfect mortar kickoff by Younger, and drove to the Knights' 13-yard line but that drive ended when Eisenhower senior cornerback Garrett Jensen intercepted Logan Fountain's pass.

Penley called on senior tailback Benji Bauer and junior fullback Tucker Lindell to move the ball downfield, capped by Bauer's 17-yard touchdown run. Bauer's second two-point conversion was good and the Knights' lead was 16-0.

The Wildcats' ensuing possession started at the 35 yard-line. Eisenhower's defense forced a fourth-and-11, but the Wildcats' quarterback was sacked by Knights' defensive end Kris Bunk. The Eisenhower offense took over on downs, but that drive ended quickly when Pascuzzi threw his first interception of the season on a diving catch by Northwestern defensive back Landon Layne. The home team took over at its own 44-yard line and drove down to the Knights' 3-yard line when Fountain called his own number for a 3-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion pass fell incomplete, leaving the Knights up at the break 16-6.

The Wildcats had possession to start the second half and they needed all of 68 seconds for Fountain to find Landon Layne in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown pass. The PAT kick was good, cutting Eisenhower's lead to 16-13.

The Knights took over on their own 39-yard line and drove to the Wildcats' 13 before the Knights fumbled, giving the ball to the home team. The Knights' bleachers, which were filled with fans, began to cheer on the defense, which forced a Northwestern punt.

Eisenhower drove to the Wildcats' 3-yard line and on first and goal, the Knights were penalized for delay of game; didn't gain a yard on first and second down; and then were penalized for illegal procedure, placing the ball at the 13. An incomplete pass brought up a fourth-and-goal where Pascuzzi rolled out to his left looking for an open receiver. Not finding one, he ran toward the goal line and dove behind the block of junior wide receiver Kris Bunk for the score. Bauer's PAT run was good, putting the Knights up 24-13.

After forcing a punt, Eisenhower took over at its own 20-yard line and drove to the Wildcats 20-yard line, courtesy of punishing runs by Bauer and Lindell, who dragged tacklers when they were forced into a fourth-and-2 when Pascuzzi ran behind Younger and Penley's block for a 13-yard touchdown run. Junior Cole Kellogg, who battled the flu all week came in for the successful PAT kick, leaving the Knights up 31-13.

The last four minutes were the most exciting part of the game. After the Wildcats' touchdown, they lined up for an onside kick and it was a good one as they recovered at midfield with 3:53 remaining. After a pass moved the ball to the Knights 4-yard line, Fountain found Logan Stagle in the end zone once again for a touchdown. The PAT pass fell incomplete, leaving the Knights in front 31-19.

With two minutes remaining, Northwestern lined up for another onside kick. The "hands team" was ready for the Knights, but the ball bounced off of a Knight and the Wildcats' Layne recovered and it was first and 10 with 1:51 remaining the Wildcats took over possession.

Fountain moved his team to the Knights' 35-yard line and, on second down, Fountain found Layne in the corner of the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown reception. Wildcat kicker Greg Gouda's kick was partially blocked, leaving the Knights in front 31-25. With 1:04 remaining, the Wildcats' luck ran out and the onside kick went out of bounds, giving the ball back to the Knights, who took a knee three times to run out the clock.

"Shawn Pascuzzi was able to make some huge plays with his touchdown runs late in the game and, obviously, Benji and Tucker running with attitude," Penley said. "Defensively, I thought Mike Beaver and Kris Bunk had very good games. Younger and Vanatta played great on the defensive line, and I thought Garrett Jensen, who just keeps getting better each week, had his best game yet."

Winning a region title and being undefeated is nice, but Penley knows his team has work to do and improvements to make.

"Next week we go into Iroqouis," he said. "We will fix what we need to and have to be ready to play a team hungry for a win, and would like nothing better than to beat us at their place."