Tale of the respective offenses
Knights will have to battle Warren's experience on line
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EDITOR'S NOTE: With the highly anticipated Warren at Eisenhower football game set for Friday, Times Observer correspondents Steve Younger and Nate Sandberg have collaborated to write daily articles pertaining to the matchup of the Warren County rivals. Today's topic: the offenses.
Eisenhower got off to a rocky start in the beginning of this season, losing its first six games.
Coming off a 6-4 regular season and a loss to Farrell in the playoffs in 2025, the Knights were hurt by graduation, losing 10 seniors, including region Player of the Year Caleb Jakubczak, who now plays for Division I Mercyhurst University; and Gavin Lindemuth, who now plays for Edinboro. In addition, Eisenhower lost Logan Penley, who accounted for 3,885 yards over his career; and all-region lineman Greyson Linkerhoff.
The Knights showed positive moments early as they lost a thrilling 22-21 overtime game to Seneca, but inexperience led to turnovers, and untimely penalties hurt them. Eisenhower, which rushed for 956 yards over its last three games, will need to continue to improve against the large Warren front.
The Knights' offense is led by dual-threat senior quarterback Joe Gigliotti, who has rushed for 551 yards and eight touchdowns and passes for 405 yards and three TDs. He earned first-team all-region in 2025 as a defensive back and athlete.
The leading rusher is senior tailback Nolan Gesing, who averages 6.1 yards per carry and has rushed for 936 yards and eight touchdowns. An excellent receiver, he has added 196 yards on 16 receptions with one TD. Senior receiver Ollie Boozer, Gigliotti's deep threat, has 15 receptions for 141 yards, with one touchdown and has added 56 yards on the ground. Grounding out the tough yards is sophomore fullback Colin Havers, who has rushed for 317 yards and a pair of TDs.
Eisenhower's offensive line has improved every week and will need to be at its best against the bigger Dragon defensive line. Starters include junior Jacob Stuart at center; freshmen guards Matt Sullivan andn Carter Briggs; and senior tackle and three-year starter Carson Sobkowski and junior tackle Jacob Dunn. The tight end is senior Bryceton Coleson, who moved from center midway through the season; and Huck Fedorchuk, a junior, is the wide receiver.
The Knights are hoping that the experience their young offensive players have gained over the season will be enough to compete with the bigger, more experienced Dragons.