The Lakers had the first try from the 10-yard line in overtime and Tyler Quinn eventually scored on a 2-yard run to make it an eight-point game after his own 2-point run.

Mercyhurst Prep forced the Knights into a fourth down during their try from the 10-yard line and quarterback Caleb Jakubczak’s pass was tipped before falling incomplete as the Lakers held on for the win.

“Just an amazing game by our guys, so many young men stepped up tonight,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said. “With the exception of a couple of long runs by their running back we were able to keep him in check.”

The Knights started the game with a 14-play drive, eating up over nine minutes of clock before senior tailback Logan Penley scored on a 1-yard run. Bryceton Wilkins made the first of his three point-after kicks for a 7-0 lead with 2:22 remaining in the opening quarter.

Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Logan Penley dives through the air for more yards against Mercyhurst Prep on Friday in Erie.

Mercyhurst Prep would score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Vinnie Feliciano in the second quarter, but the point-after kick was no good and the score stood at 7-6.

The Eisenhower defense forced a turnover on downs and the offense took over on its own 27-yard line. With Penley and Jakubczak carrying the ball, the Knights used 3:24 of clock before Jakubczak scored on a 2-yard run right before halftime. The point-after kick was no good and Eisenhower led 13-6 at the break.

The third quarter saw Mercyhurst Prep score on its opening drive on a 25-yard run by JT Jones. The PAT kick was good and the score was tied at 13-13.

After a 58-yard punt by Jakubczak, Feliciano would score on a 48-yard run down the sideline. The PAT made it 20-13 with 5:17 left in the third quarter.

Eisenhower was stopped on fourth down at the Mercyhurst Prep 14-yard line before a handoff to Feliciano, who raced 86 yards for a touchdown. Mercyhurst Prep’s Quinn took it in for the 2-point conversion to make it a two-possession lead for the Lakers with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Knights battle back. A 26-yard touchdown run by Jakubczak and a Wilkins kick made it 28-20 with 10:02 remaining.

The Lakers would drive down to the Knights’ 14-yard line, but a 34-yard field goal attempt was no good and Eisenhower took over on downs.

The Knights drove down to the Mercyhurst Prep 33-yard line before fullback Nolan Gesing took a handoff and cut to the sideline before running for a touchdown with 2:51 showing in the clock. Penley called Jakubczak’s number and he carried it in for the 2-point conversion to tie the game.

The Lakers drove down to the Knights’ 13-yard line and with 17 seconds remaining lined up for a 30-yard field goal attempt, but it was no good and the game went to overtime.

“The way our guys battled back, I just couldn’t be more proud,” Coach Penley said. “These guys have come so far this year, we played our best game tonight, hopefully we can carry this into the playoffs.”