Senior strong safety/wide receiver Garrett Jensen is the second Knight to receive the honor, joining Michael Vanatta.

Jensen, a two year starter, was a key player on Eisenhower’s defense for the last two seasons, highlighted by his three interceptions during the 2022 campaign, including his pick late in the game against Cambridge Springs that sealed the win for the Knights.

“I am happy for Garrett,” Eisenhower coach Jim Penley said. “This is a well-deserved honor. He has played multiple positions for us and has changed positions several times for us based on the team’s needs. He has done a tremendous job in every aspect that we have asked of him. This year he filled the role of strong safety for us which was really a key to our defensive success. It’s one of the more complicated spots on our defense and he was a first-team all-star for a reason. He’s the type of young man that helps you win games not because he’s necessarily the best athlete, but because he might be one of the best team-first ballplayers. He is just a tremendous student of the game.”

For Garrett, one of the bonuses to playing in this game will be having his father, Derek, as one of Penley’s assistant coaches. Derek Jensen is a longtime assistant on Penley’s staff at Eisenhower.

Eisenhower’s Garrett Jensen (5) is congratulated by his teammates after his game-clinching interception against Cambridge Springs in last season’s playoffs. Observer File Photo by Steve Younger

“Coaching in this game is just a tremendous honor,” Coach Jensen said. “Being able to coach and have my son playing will be the ultimate experience for me. Not many coaches get this experience.”

For Coach Jensen, it’s not only about coaching his son, but it’s also about the opportunity to coach some other members of the Eisenhower team one last time.

“I’ve been coaching many of the Eisenhower players since youth football and have watched them grow up, and to achieve the success we’ve had the last few years is just a testament to their hard work and dedication to Coach Penley and the program.”

For Garrett, playing in the Big 30 is something he thought about heading into his senior year, so the decision to play was quick when he received the invitation. To say he’s looking forward to it would be an understatement.

“It means a lot to me to play in this game and to play for coach Penley and any of my teammates,” he said. “It will make for a great last game.”

Garrett will be attending Penn State in the fall and majoring in aerospace engineering.