OKLAHOMA CITY — It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough.
Eisenhower finally snapped its five-game losing streak, defeating lowly Northwest Classen, 34-8, at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City on Thursday night. The Eagles’ last win actually came against the Knights as well — a 41-13 decision on Nov. 3 of last year.
Ike coach Mike Burris said though a win was expected, it was a relieving feeling to get in the win column after four-straight blowouts.
“It was a good win for us,” Burris said. “Even though it’s Northwest Classen, a win is a win.”
Yes, the Eagles (1-4 overall, 1-1 in District 5A-2) managed to right the ship for now, putting their program’s worst start since 2015 behind them for a much-needed win.
However, despite the score, Ike’s performance was far from perfect.
The Eagles committed 21 penalties for 165 yards — 125 of which came in the first half on 14 flags.
They also surrendered four turnovers, losing possession on three fumbles and an interception.
Fifteen of those penalty yards came on a targeting penalty on lineman Blake Duggins, wiping out a long run by quarterback Ethan Roberts while also earning the junior an ejection.
However, Burris is optimistic about the OSSAA overturning the punishment.
“That kind of hurt our rotation a little bit, but hopefully when they look at the video, it won’t be too bad and he’ll get to play next week.
Three of the giveaways came deep within NWC territory, and the other resulted in a safety.
“There’s a lot of stuff we got to clean up,” Burris said. “Against better teams, that’ll cost you a game. We fumble it on the goal line, and on the interception, (Roberts) just made a bad decision. It was kind of a wacky play. When you get down near the goal line, you have to take care of the ball.
“But hey, we got a win.”
Despite his interception, Roberts had impressive showing in his third week as the starting signal caller.
He finished with only 88 yards through the air on 4-of-14 passing, but he put on a spectacle with his legs. The junior rushed 122 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, averaging about 11.1 yards per carry.
“He’s always been able to do that,” Burris said of Roberts’ ability to make plays on the ground. “He’s a little jitterbug, and we have to have plays like that out of him because he’s not a big, tall guy back there in the pocket. He’s gotta run around a little bit, and he’s able to make plays with his legs.”
Tariq Jackson also experienced some success in the rushing game, making the most of his 17 carries to finish with 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Jackson suffered an injury early against MacArthur in Week 1, returning only last week in an 88-yard, one-touchdown performance in a loss to Woodward.
Jackson tweaked his ankle late against the Knights (0-5, 0-2), but Burris doesn’t anticipate him having to miss any more time from the field.
“We need him,” Burris said. “Any good performance like that builds confidence, and hopefully he can keep it going.”
The defense held its own as well, forcing two turnovers while also keeping NWC to a conversion rate of 2-of-13 on third downs and forcing seven punts, one of which was blocked.
Trailing 20-8 entering the third quarter, the Knights drove all the way to the Ike 8-yard line and looked to get within one score, but the combination of some untimely penalties and a stout Eagles defense pushed them back.
NWC also had its fair share on infractions, tallying 11 penalties for 98 yards.
Those mistakes eventually led to a missed 31-yard field goal, and the Knights would not get close again.
“We moved some stuff around (on defense) and changed some stuff up front, so we were able to get some fresher kids in there,” Burris said.
Ike now hopes to carry its momentum into next week against Piedmont (1-3) on the road. The Wildcats play No. 1 Carl Albert on Friday night.
“We need that win,” Burris said. “We need that one. That’s one we’re counting on to help get us in the playoffs.”