The Knights have had quite a run of success over the last four seasons, an impressive 33-8 record on every kind of surface. There have been big wins, come-from-behind wins, wins in overtime and losses that have provided opportunities from which to learn from and improve.

But the one obstacle that has stood in their path is Reynolds. The Raiders have ended the Knights’ season the last three years and have proven themselves to be a worthy opponent.

Reynolds was hit hard by graduation a year ago as were the Knights and have struggled to play consistent football this season.

“They have had their struggles this year replacing the many fine athletes they lost from last year’s roster,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said of the Raiders. “But they are still the three-time defending district champions until someone takes it from them.”

Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Logan Penley carries the ball earlier this season.

Reynolds will start 5-foot-10, 135-pound Galvan Alabran at quarterback. The senior signal caller is a dual-threat athlete. As a passer, he has accounted for 674 yards on 51-of-116 passing with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As a runner, he has rushed for 386 yards on 80 touches and has five rushing touchdowns.

The Raiders also have 5-foot-9, 160-pound tailback Gabriel Minjarez, who has carried the ball 143 times for 736 yards and seven touchdowns.

They also have a pair of players who each have rushed for 250 yards in Xavier Malgieri and Parker Nay. They have contributed four touchdowns between them.

“They have a couple of very explosive young backs and a young offensive line that has been getting better each week,” Penley said. “We certainly cannot relax. We have to play disciplined football.”

The Knights get a boost this week with the return of leading receiver Kris Bunk, who had been injured. Bunk, a 6-foot-4 senior tight end, who is averaging 16.6 yards per catch, has 19 receptions for 315 yards and eight touchdowns.

Eisenhower also has senior Derek Childs, who is averaging 12.5 yards per catch, and the speedy Ryan Chambers, who is averaging 29.0 yards per catch and one touchdown.

The Knights’ signal caller is 6-foot-1 senior Shawn Pascuzzi, who has accounted for 715 yards on a solid 50-of-101 passing with 11 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Pascuzzi is also a threat as a runner with 73 carries for 563 yards and six touchdowns.

Eisenhower has four players averaging over 6 yards per carry. The leading rusher is sophomore Logan Penley, who has 118 carries for 711 yards and five touchdowns. Senior fullback Tucker Lindell is averaging 6.1 yards per carry on 104 touches for 635 yards and 12 touchdowns. Chambers, a junior, has proven himself to be a threat to score every time he has the football and has rushed for 336 yards on only 25 carries with a pair of touchdowns.

“Reynolds plays very well against the run and is athletic enough to do a lot of different things in coverage against the pass,” Penley said. “As it has been the last couple of weeks for us, we have to play disciplined football and not commit stupid penalties. In the playoffs, everyone is good enough to beat anyone if you help them by making mistakes.”

Last year, the Raiders ended the Knights’ undefeated season in the District 10 championship game at Titusville 28-14.

The Knights hope that a large hometown crowd will be in their favor as they hope to move on to the next round of the playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. All tickets must be bought online. There will be no tickets sold at the gate.