Eisenhower took the opening kickoff and marched down inside the 10-yard line, but was stopped on fourth-and-goal.

The Wildcats took over and used 5:30 to drive down the field. For the third week in a row, the Knights defense rose up with a huge stop and held the Wildcats on fourth-and-4.

Neither team could generate much offense the remainder of the first quarter.

Northwestern quarterback Braden Swift found Andrew Merritt, who weaved his way through the middle of the Knights defense before he raced down the sideline just 10 seconds into the second quarter for a touchdown. Jack Williams’ point-after kick was good and the Wildcats led 7-0.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Joe Gigliotti eyes some running room in Friday’s game against Northwestern.

The Knights’ Caleb Jakubczak led his team down to the 1-yard line after a 41-yard run and on the next play, tailback Logan Penley bullied his way over the goal line for a touchdown. Bryce Wilkins’ point-after kick was good and the score was 7-7 midway through the second quarter.

The Eisenhower defense forced a punt and the offense took over. The Knights were driving down the field when a Jakubczak pass was intercepted by the Wildcats’ Avery Merritt, who returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. The point-after kick was no good and the score was 13-0, which held until halftime.

Northwestern started the second half with the ball and a nice kickoff return gave the Wildcats good field position. Northwestern drove down the field and Keegan Miller would score on a 4-yard run to make it 19-7 after the kick was no good.

The Knights were forced into a three-and-out, a short punt gave the Wildcats good field position, and David White scored on a 1-yard run with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter. The 2-point conversion pass attempt fell short and Northwestern led 25-7.

The Knights were forced to punt on their next two possessions.

The fourth quarter began with the Knights driving. A 43-yard pass to Joe Gigliotti, who carried it to the 1-yard line, set up Penley for his second 1-yard touchdown run of the night. Wilkins’ point-after kick was good and the Knights closed the score to 25-14 with 8:51 remaining in the game.

The Eisenhower defense forced a Wildcats punt, but Northwestern stopped the Knights on downs and took over possession with 5:01 on the clock.

The Wildcats needed three plays before Aiden Bickenhouser scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and Miller’s point-after kick was good.

Swift finished 6 of 10 for 149 yards through the air, while Bickenhouser and White both eclipsed 50 yards rushing for Northwestern.

Jakubczak completed 7 of 14 passes for 119 yards and also ran for 113 yards on 14 carries for the Knights.