The Knights started out in great field position after a 41-yard kickoff return by Logan Penley to start the game. Eisenhower would drive down to the Seneca 14-yard line only to be stopped on downs by the Seneca defense.

After punts by both teams and a scoreless first quarter, the Knights defense would get a goal line stand, stopping Seneca short of getting on the board.

However, an Eisenhower fumble on the next play shortly turned into a Seneca touchdown as Zach Moats reached paydirt from four yards.

The Knights would tie the score on the ensuing possession on a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Caleb Jakubczak and a PAT kick by Bryceton Wilkins to knot the score at 7-7 at halftime.

Eisenhower’s Ollie Boozer breaks up a Seneca pass on Saturday. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

After punts by both teams, Seneca would take advantage of an Eisenhower fumble on the 20-yard line. Then two plays later, Seneca regained the lead with a 20-yard rush from Rylan Harwood.

Eisenhower answered again with a 26-yard touchdown by Logan Penley, but a missed PAT left Seneca in the lead for good with 6:28 in the third quarter.

Seneca added a final touchdown in the third quarter when Moats rushed in another 4-yard touchdown and the PAT brought the final score to 21-13 while 3:50 remained in the third.

“I was proud of the effort our guys gave today,” Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley stated. “Seneca is a very good football team that very easily could have come into the game at 5-1. We knew it would be a tough game.”

Jakubczak led the Eisenhower offense with 74 rushing yards on 10 carries and was 7 of 15 through the air for 108 passing yards. Logan Penley added another 70 yards on 12 carries and Gavin Lindemuth paced the receivers with two catches for 46 yards.

“I’m proud of the young guys who stepped into some big shoes today,” Coach Penley said about the injuries. “But ultimately we had too many mistakes and missed opportunities. We will learn from this and be ready for Franklin on Friday.”

Eisenhower drops to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Region 3 with the loss, while Seneca gets back on track with a 3-4 overall record and 2-1 region record.