Eisenhower Football Team Crushes Existing Records
Written by: Beckett Carter Photo taken by: Jamie Duty
The Eisenhower Tigers boasted a stellar 2023 football season. Week by week, the Tigers showcased their position as one of the top teams in Kansas football. In the opening game against the Hutchinson Salthawks, the Tigers delivered a resounding statement win that set the tone for the Tigers' season. Moving into week two, the Tigers faced the Salina Central Mustangs, securing a historic 2-0 start with a dominant offensive performance, tallying 44 points.
The Tigers' winning streak persisted through week 7, triumphing over every challenger, notably marked by a commanding 56-7 victory against Salina South. However, the pinnacle came in week 8 against the Goddard Lions, the Tigers' fierce rivals. Despite a hard-fought game, the Tigers suffered a defeat, concluding the Tigers' regular season at 7-1.
Entering the playoffs as the 2nd seed, the Tigers commenced with a decisive 35-6 win against the Andover Trojans. The Tigers' balanced offensive display, amassing 247 passing yards and 127 rushing yards, set the tone for the Tigers' playoff journey. In the subsequent game against Hays, the Tigers dominated with a 41-7 win, fueled by multiple defensive turnovers.
Facing the Maize Eagles in the sectional game, the Tigers encountered an early 14-0 deficit but rallied to silence Maize for the remainder of the game, securing a 35-14 victory and advancing to the State semifinals.
In a challenging matchup against Kapun, the Tigers struggled initially, trailing 42-17 with six minutes remaining. Despite a valiant effort, scoring 22 unanswered points, the Tigers fell short with a final score of 42-39.
This team exhibited remarkable resilience, culminating in a record-breaking season and the furthest advancement in school playoff history. The Tigers concluded their extraordinary season with a 10-2 record, setting high aspirations for the Tigers' upcoming year.
All League Football Honors
1st Team
Derek Morgan - QB
Luckas Dickman - RB
Carter Pabst - WR
Noah Packard - OL
Nate Hamm - OL
Travis Nicholson - DL
Hunter Houser - DL
Max Brown - LB
Mac McDonald - DB
2nd Team
Chase George - WR
Nick Giffin - LB
Cole Brown - K
Honorable Mention
Canyon Mayer - WR
Ethan Trometer - OL
Tycen Biering - OL
Makai Tagatac - DL
Kasten Koehn - DB
Lucas Dickman - Offensive MVP
Darrin Fisher - coach of the year
5A All State
1st Team
Lucas Dickman - RB (Top 33 All Classes)
Derek Morgan - Athlete
Max Brown - LB
Mak McDonald - DB
Hunter Houser - DL
Honorable Mention
Nate Hamm - OL
Noah Packard - OL
Brody Hall -DB
Nick Giffin - LB
Carter Pabst - WR
Travis Nicholson - DL
Coach Fisher - 5A coach of the year finalist
Coach Bergkamp - 5A assistant coach of the year finalist
