Eisenhower quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi attempts to get away from a defender during action earlier this season. Times Observer file photo by Steve Younger

The 2-1 Eisenhower Knights kick off Region 2 play tonight when they travel to Seneca to face the 0-3 Bobcats.

The Knights are coming off a win last week over Union City 34-13 while the Bobcats got handled by Mercyhurst Prep 56-6.

Knights head coach Jim Penley is well aware that Seneca will be a tough game as the Bobcats are in search of their first win this season.

“They are going through some growing pains with a young team as they lost a very talented group to graduation,” Penley said. “They play hard and definitely show a lot of heart and fight.”

The young Bobcats are led by 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior quarterback Nolan Seabury, who leads the bobcats in both passing (22 of 47, 252 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions) and rushing (61 attempts, 194 yards, four touchdowns).

“Their quarterback is one of the most explosive players in our region,” Penley said. “We really need to slow him down to put ourselves in position to win.”

The Knights are led by their quarterback as well with senior Shawn Pascuzzi leading the team in passing (19 of 38, 281 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions) while carrying the ball 25 times for 203 yards — 8.1 yards per carry — and three touchdowns. Pascuzzi has a large target to throw to in 6-foot-4 senior tight end Kris Bunk, who leads the Knights with 191 yards on nine receptions and five touchdowns.

As the Knights are starting to come together, Penley knows he will have his hands full with the winless Bobcats.

“They are very well coached and are getting better each week,” Penley said. “For us to be successful we have to control the line of scrimmage and play disciplined defense. Our linemen have to be very aware of their responsibilities as they change up their fronts and have a lot of presnap movement.”