Eisenhower used a 13-play, nine-minute drive to score on its first possession of the game. Jakubczak rolled out his right and found fellow junior Tanner Lookenhouse open in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Bryce Wilkins’ point-after kick was good and the Knights took the early 7-0 lead.

Saegertown would score on a Bryce Wilkinson 4-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The PAT by Elliot McWright was good and the score was tied at 7-7.

The second quarter was back and forth as each team punted twice. The visiting Panthers would complete a 67-yard pass to Wilkerson down to the Knights’ 9-yard line, but Jakubczak would end that drive and the half on an interception at the 5-yard line.

Saegertown would receive the second-half kickoff and drive down to the Eisenhower 13-yard line, but the Knights defense stopped the Panthers for no gain on first and second downs. Aaron Shartle found a crease in the middle of the Eisenhower defense on third down and carried it for a 13-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick by McWright was blocked by the Knights’ Jaydon Chase as Saegertown led 13-7.

Knights’ Logan Penley follows blockers on a run. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

The lead was short-lived as Jakubczak would field the kickoff on the 20-yard line, and after running up the middle, he would cut down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown. The Wilkins kick split the uprights and the Knights led 14-13 with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter.

Neither team could generate much offense as both defenses played well late. Saegertown caught a break on fourth-and-9 from its own 36-yard line. The Panthers lined up to punt, but after a bad snap, McWright ran around the end for an 18-yard gain and a first down.

The Panthers would use Wilkerson on back-to-back runs to get a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line. The Knights defense rose to the occasion and on fourth down from the 2-yard line, stopped Wilkerson for no gain with 6:47 remaining.

Eisenhower could not get away from its end zone and was forced to punt. Saegertown would get good field position and move the ball to the Knights’ 22-yard line, but the Eisenhower defense once again stopped the Panthers on fourth-and-9. Saegertown’s 27-yard field goal attempt fell short and Eisenhower took over.

Jakubczak and Logan Penley were able to run the clock out from there.

Eisenhower’s Tanner Lookenhouse catches a 10-yard touchdown from quarterback Caleb Jakubczak during Friday’s 14-13 win over Saegertown in Russell. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

“Sometimes when a group of guys have to win a close game like this they grow up. I think this team grew up tonight,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said. “I thought Caleb Jakubczak had a super game. He’s been working very hard and tonight it showed, just a super game by him. I thought Joe Gigliotti stepped up when (Ryan) Chambers went down and played a nice game for us when we really needed it. Our kicker Bryce Wilkins, kicking in his first varsity game, going 2 for 2 on extra points, great job by him. I’m just really proud of this team, they never gave up and just kept battling.”

Jakubczak ran nine times for 121 yards, while Penley added 52 yards on 11 carries. Jakubczak also completed four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception.