Can Eisenhower run to the District 10 Class 1A high school football championship in 2023?
The start of the 2023 District 10 football season is right around the corner. Visit GoErie.com throughout August for updated videos and photos from team camps. Here is one in a series of previews for all 39 D-10 teams:
Eisenhower Knights
Coach: Jim Penley (20th season, 103-107)
2022 record: 11-1 (5-0 (Region 2)
2022 playoff results: Defeated Cambridge Springs 25-20 in the District 10 Class 1A semifinals before losing to Reynolds 28-14 in the D-10 championship.
Assistant coaches: Jeff O'Brien, George Sanders, Clint Corse, Chris Sanders
More: Kick off the 2023 District 10 football season early with this top 100 players to watch list
Rebuilding the run game
Eisenhower relies heavily on its rushing attack to wear down defenses, and the Knights will need several backs to step up this year. Benji Bauer, who ran for 2,067 yards and 24 touchdowns, is gone to graduation along with big-play threat Keegan Eckstrom, who ran for 384 yards and four touchdowns. Eisenhower also has to replace starting linemen Caleb Penley, Connor Younger and Mike Vanatta, who led the way on the line.
The Knights return quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi and running back Tucker Lindell. Lindell was second on the team last year with 598 yards and seven touchdowns but is also one of the team's top run blockers. Pascuzzi ran for 414 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Senior Cole Kellogg and junior Ryan Chambers could see expanded carries to fill the hole left by Bauer. JJ Darr and Jaydon Chase are back on the line to lead new players Colin Sobkowski, Aiden Heubach and tight end Gavin Lindemuth. Kris Bunk is an all-star tight end that could make a big impact as well this fall in both the run and pass game.
More: Will experience pay off for the 2023 Harbor Creek High School football team?
Finding new linebackers
Eisenhower has had one of the top defenses in District 10 over the past few years and a big reason was the linebacker corps. Logan Penley, Derek Childs and Chase are all gone, but Lindell is back to help lead the way. Camron Jakubczak and Bunk return at defensive end and Chambers, Kellogg and Pascuzzi are back to lead the secondary, but linebacker and defensive tackle are two huge needs on defense for the Knights. Cole Yurchisin and Sobkowski could plug the holes on the line and Nick Wolfer, Joe Gigliotti, Nichols and Coleson are all candidates to see playing time at linebacker.
Eisenhower made a run to the District 10 championship game last fall and held a lead against Reynolds but couldn't slow down the Raiders. The Knights have enough experience back this fall that they could make another run in a wide-open Class 1A field.
Schedule
Aug. 25 vs. Cochranton 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Cambridge Springs 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Union City* 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Seneca* 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. Lakeview 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Mercyhurst Prep* (Mercyhurst University) 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Saegertown 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 vs. Northwestern* 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 vs. Iroquois* 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 vs. Girard 7 p.m.
*Region 2 game
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Eisenhower is a contender for the District 10 Class 1A football title
