Eisenhower wins double OT thriller! @caleb_jordan21 @Trumbull_15 @WMBigRedsFB

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News

Steve Younger | November 1, 2020

Just who are the Eisenhower Knights, where are they from, and finally, are they for real ? Those were some of the questions floating around district 10 last week leading up to last Friday’s game against West Middlesex. The Eisenhower Knights are a single “A”. School located in a Russell, , PA on the northern edge of Warren County, and as West Midddlesex will attest to are very much for real.

The Knights played host to the Big Reds on their home field Friday in the opening round of District 10 playoff action. Eisenhower came into the game with a perfect 7-0 record while the big reds were 4-2, their only losses coming to Reynolds.

West Middlesex won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. The knights began their opening drive on their own 30 yard line and proceeded to drive down the field, converting to short 4th downs, Jr. Running backs Cael Black and Steven Reilly along with So. Benji Bauer carried the ball down to the WM 32 yard line before Sr. QB Owen Trumbull would hook up with Sr. Wide receiver Caleb Robinault for a nice catch and run down to the. WM 9 yard line, Black would need one play and great blocking by the Knight offensive line to carry it for the score. JR. K Jake Venman connected in the PAT kick giving the knights the early lead 7-0.

The Big Reds began their opening possession from their own 25 and managed to move down to the Knight 41 yard line, facing a 4th and 3 the Big Reds elected to go for the first down instead of pinning the Knights deep. West Middlesex QB Ty Tate could not get away from Knight Jr. defensive end Mike Jones who caught him in a he backfield for a loss, handing the ball over on downs to the knights.

The Big Reds defense stopped the knights and forced the knights to punt on 4th down. After a short. Eisenhower punt the Big reds took over in great field position on the knights 26 yard line, 4 plays later the big red’s Tate would carry it in for the score, the PAT kick was successful knotting the score at 7.

Tate scrambles for yards

The 2nd half for both teams became a battle of field position and long touchdowns being called back as the Knights had two negated and one for the big reds was called off due to penalties.
After several punt exchanges by both teams, the big red’s offense took over with 3:10 remaining and proceeded to drive down the field. After an a time out was called by West middlesex after an incomplete pass with 10 seconds left in the game, the officials realized the big reds did not have one remaining and after an extended officials discussion a delay of game was assessed to WM, the yards marched off and the ball was placed on the Eisenhower 15 yard line. WM lined up for a 32 yard attempt but the middle of the knights defensive line pushed through and were able to block the kick giving the Knights up be last offensive play with 6 seconds remaining. The Knights nearly pulled off the Hail Mary when Sr. Dillon Benson on a pass from Trumbull connected with Sr. Zane Alexander on a thirty yard completion before he was knocked out of bounds. At the end of the 4th quarter the score remained 7-7.

West middlesex won the coin toss and elected to start on offense and only needed one play to score when Tate connected for a a ten yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion run was good putting them up 15-7 on the knights.

It was the knights turn on offense, needing a touchdown and 2 or conversion to force another OT quarter, Trumbull ran for 5 yards on first down and black scored on the next play, Trumbull called. His own number and a diving leap over his line the officials signaled he did indeed cross the goal line and the score was tie s again 15-15.

Owens Trumbull isn’t just a quarterback, he can tackle too

The knights started the 2nd OT period on offense and started on the 10 yard line once again. This time Trumbull connected with Sr. WR. Caleb Robinault for 6 yards, on 2nd down Trumbull picked up two more yards giving the Knights 3rd and goal from the 2 yard line, Trumbull lined the knights up and took the snap and headed for the goal line around the left side of his line just sneaking in at the flag. Knights head coach Jim Penley elected to kick the PAT and Venman connected once again putting the knights up 22-15.

It was the big reds turn on first down and they were called for a holding, being a spot foul which is marked off where the penalty occurred the ball was placed on the 26 yard line giving them first and goal from the 26. Tate connected for a 22 yard gain on 2nd and goal from the four Tate would carry it putting WM down 22-21. After a WM timeout they elected to go for the win, Tate dropped back and fired to the front corner of the end zone, the ball fell incomplete giving the knights cause to celebrate. Before they realized that a flay lay on the ground. The knights were called for a defensive pass interference violation . The football was placed on the one yard line, the run attempt over the left side of the line but the knight defense stopped the runner just short securing the win for the home team.

The knights will play for their first district 10 championship since 2002 when they square off against Reynolds on their home field, with kickoff set for 7:00.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews