“I’m just so proud of this team,” head coach Jim Penley said. “10-0 wasn’t on our minds back in August. We wanted to win the region, get in the playoffs and play for a district title. That record is just a testament to the hard work put in by the guys in the summer.”

Speaking of hard work and history, there was more where that came from.

Senior Benji Bauer, who ran for 138 yards on 18 carries and touchdown, set school records for career rushing yards and career touchdowns, putting an exclamation point on the milestone win. Eisenhower will now await the District 10 selection committee meeting, which takes place this morning, to determine who and when it will face to start the playoffs.

“(Girard, which was 2-6 entering the game) was motivated to close their season with a win, but our guys battled and made plays on both sides of the ball,” Penley said. “Benji had a great game tonight running and blocking for (quarterback) Shawn Pascuzzi.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Benji Bauer set the Knights’ career rushing record with 138 yards on Friday night at Girard.

“This was a great team win.”

Pascuzzi, who completed 8 of 12 passes for 78 yards and rushed for another 57, got the Knights on the board first when he connected with Kris Bunk for a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Cole Kellogg’s point-after try was good, putting Eisenhower in front 7-0 at the 2:16 mark.

Girard tied the game in the second quarter when quarterback Gabe Messier found Zach Lowe for a 50-yard touchdown pass. Steven Foster’s PAT was good and the score remained tied at halftime.

The lone touchdown in the second half was courtesy of Bauer, who ran around the right end, and cut back to the middle on his way to a 30-yard trip to the end zone. The extra-point kick was blocked, but the Knights led 13-7 with 9:34 remaining in the game.

From there, Eisenhower’s defense took over, stopping two Yellowjacket drives on interceptions by Caleb Penley and Tucker Lindell, the latter pick coming at the Knights’ 30-yard line with 59 seconds left.

“All three of our linebackers played a great game,” Coach Penley said. “Tucker Lindell, Bauer and (Caleb) Penley really showed up tonight, and our D-line played incredible. We were short a couple guys due to the flu and they really showed how tough they are.”

Needing 111 yards to break the career rushing record of 3,198 set by Johnny Pascuzzi, Bauer now has 3,225 for his decorated career. He also has 21 touchdowns on the season, which breaks the old mark of 20 set by Jeff Benedict in 1979.

When reached by phone in Atlanta, Georgia where he is an athletic surgical trainer, Johnny Pascuzzi offered congratulations to Bauer.

“Records are made to be broken,” he said. “I want to wish Benji congratulations and congratulations to the whole team. Ike Pride.”