Knights hope to end football season on a win
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RUSSELL -- The Eisenhower Knights will look to bounce back from last week's loss to Warren as they look to close out their season with a win at home against Saegertown.
The Knights (2-7 overall, 2-4 in Region 3), will be facing a fast, aggressive Panther team (6-3 overall, 4-2 in Region 2)
"They are playing with confidence right now," Eisenhower head coach Jim Penley said about Saegertown. "They have been in some tight games and are on a streak right now. Coach Wolfgang has them playing at a high level, we have to be ready."
The Knights are led by senior tailback Nolan Gesing who eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier in last week’s loss to Warren and will look to add to his season total of 1,040 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns and 238 yards receiving adding a pair of scores. Senior quarterback Joe Gigliotti has proven to be a dangerous runner along with Gesing, adding 87 carries for 581 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomore Colin Havers has done the dirty work at fullback, rushing for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Knights will look to slow down Saegertown's running attack which is led by Riley Wilkinson's 744 yards and nine touchdowns. Matthew Shartle has added 721 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior Cru Scott has added 572 yards and eight touchdowns.
A talented bunch, Penley knows Saegertown's run game can cause problems for his young Knights,
"All three of their backs can score every time they touch the ball," Penley said. "They are a quick athletic group that runs hard. Their defense is a group that gets after the football, they play aggressive and like to gang tackle."
As has been the case all season for Eisenhower, they can move the ball when they win the line of scrimmage, making that the key to the game.
"Our young line struggled to match the intensity of last week's opponent and that will be the key to this week’s game," Penley stated. "We annotate to win at the line of scrimmage, if we can do that we certainly put ourselves in the best position to come away with the win."