Archives

Here is a look at the Eisenhower football schedule this fall. We will publish schedules as we receive them from schools.

All times p.m. unless otherwise noted.

*Region 2 games

–Tom Reisenweber

The Erie Times-News and GoErie.com are continuing District 10 football preview coverage this week, leading up to Friday’s season openers. Starting Sunday, the preview coverage included Region 6, McDowell and Region 4. The coverage will continue through Thursday. Included in each preview are complete rosters for each team.

Earlier, the Times-News published the 112-page Kickoff preseason guide and posted the online Summer Huddle series on the Varsity blog.

Check out the links to the Times-News team previews:
Sunday: McDowell preview
Sunday: Region 6
Monday: Region 4
Tuesday: Region 5
Wednesday: Region 2
Thursday: Region 3
Thursday: Region 1

There were several football standouts this weekend. You pick the best. Or, let us know who we missed.

Casey Pace, RB, Fort LeBoeuf, 15 rushes, 179 yards, 2 TDs

Scottie Frisina, QB, Corry, 15-of-20 passing 250 yards, 2 TDs; 9 rushes
104 yards, 3 TDs

Justin Wiley, RB, Cathedral Prep, 18 rushes, 82 yards, TD; 3 catches
90 yards, 2 TDs

Shyquawn Pullium, QB, Cathedral Prep, 10 rushes, 120 yards, 2 TDs; 92 passing yards, 2 TDs

Zach Greenawalt, QB, McDowell, 16 rushes, 120 yards, 2 TDs

Pat Pascarella, RB, Bradford, 16 rushes, 242 yards, 4 TDs

Matt Sleppy, DB, Iroquois, 42-yard fumble return for winning TD

Cory Lee, RB, General McLane, 12 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TDs

Cody Crosby, QB, Eisenhower, 21-of-30 passing, 315 yards, 2 TDs

Gary Brown, QB, East, 10-of-13 passing, 195 yards, 3 TDs; 5 rrushes, 29 yards, TD

Josh Williams, RB, Girard, 7 rushes, 108 yards, TD runs of 65 and 23 yards

Eisenhower Knights

Coach: Jim Penley
2008 overall record: 4-6
2008 region record (place): 4-4 (6th place, Region 2)
Playoff results: Did not make District 10 playoffs
Top players lost: RB/LB Ben Wilston, RB/LB Dave Osborne, WR/DB Lucas Schwanke, RB/DL Andy Blair, TE/DL Matt Moore, OL/DL Bob Borton, OL/DL John Carlson

Cody Crosby, first-team all-Region 2 kicker and punter, second-team quarterback and defensive back

Top returning players: QB/DB Cody Crosby, TE/DB Mike Rulander, OL/DL Ryan Brendlinger, RB/LB Dustin Huntoon, RB/LB Mitch Wilston, OL/DL Josh Herzog, OL/DL Nick Church
Key games: Sept. 10 vs. Saegertown, Oct. 2 at Union City, Oct. 9 vs. Cambridge Springs, Oct. 16 at Mercyhurst Prep
Outlook: Over the past six seasons since coach Jim Penley took over at his alma mater, Eisenhower football has been oh-so close to making a splash in the District 10 Class A playoffs. From 2004-06, they were the last team out. In 2007, they did make the playoffs at 6-5 but lost a tight first-round game to Mercer 14-7. Last season, the Knights finished 4-6 but 4-4 in Region 2 with a crucial three-point loss to Iroquois in the season finale that kept them out of the playoffs again. With their balanced passing and rushing offense and usually solid defense, if Eisenhower can find a way to win those close games, 2009 could be a special season. They will have to replace eight seniors but do return 16 of 22 players who started at least five games last season. One of the key players Coach Penley will miss is Ben Wilston, who led the team in rushing and interceptions and was among the leaders in receiving, tackles and sacks. The two-way star will be replaced in part by his younger brother Mitch Wilston and Dustin Huntoon. Wide receiver Lucas Schwanke (513 yards, 8 touchdowns) led the Eisenhower pass catching attack last year but will also be lost to graduation. Tight end Mike Rulander, an all-region performer as a junior, will look to pick up the slack. Tossing him the ball will be all-everything senior Cody Crosby. One of the team’s best players, Crosby will return with all-region honors as a kicker, punter, quarterback and defensive back to his name. With Bob Borton gone from the line, Ryan Brendlinger will look to lead the unit blocking for Crosby and the rest of the offense, which scored 22.6 points per game last season. The Knights were inconsistent mainly because they had key injuries to Osborne, Blair and Moore, which forced underclassmen to step in and fill key roles. Crucial game experience for the young players combined with a tough AA non-region schedule should help Eisenhower as they look to win the close games and finally bust through and make the A playoffs.

Schedule:
September
4 at Girard 7
10 Saegertown* 7
18 at Harborcreek Youth* 7
25 Youngsville* 7
October
2 at Union City* 7
9 Cambridge Springs* 7
16 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7
23 Oil City 7
30 at Cochranton* 7
November
6 Iroquois* 7

*Region 2 game

Tuesday: Region 2: Harborcreek Youth Services

In 2008, Saegertown was the class of Region 2 with a very talented team. Unfortunately for the Panthers a lot of talent graduated and the head coach resigned. Dave McDonald takes over as a first-year coach and some rebuilding to do from last year’s team. Cambridge Springs, Union City and Iroquois were all solid playoff teams but did not fare well against the powerful Region 1. There was a little controversy with the playoff selections as Iroquois and Mercyhurst Prep finished with the same region record. The District 10 handbook, at the time, stated the team with the best overall record advanced. Iroquois had the better record even though Mercyhurst Prep beat the Braves head to head. The rules have changed with head to head being the first tiebreaker this season. Mercyhurst Prep, Iroquois and Cambridge Springs will be solid with Saegertown and Union City in the hunt. Eisenhower could be a very dangerous sleeper with plenty of starters returning. Here are last year’s standings:

Region 2
Region Overall
y-Saegertown 8-0 12-1
z-Cambridge Springs 6-2 7-4
z-Union City 5-3 7-4
z-Iroquois 5-3 6-5
Mercyhurst Prep 5-3 5-5
Eisenhower 4-4 4-6
Youngsville 2-6 2-7
Cochranton 1-7 1-9
Harborcreek Youth 0-8 0-10
y-clinched region championship
z-qualified for playoff spot

Key 2009 games: Oct. 1 Cambridge Springs at Mercyhurst Prep, Oct. 9 Cambridge Springs at Eisenhower, Mercyhurst Prep at Iroquois, Oct. 23 Mercyhurst Prep at Saegertown, Oct. 30 Iroquois at Cambridge Springs
Predicted champion: Mercyhurst Prep