EISENHOWER LOOKS TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENT

Information for this story was obtained from various sources including information found in the Aug. 28 edition of the Olean (NY) Times Herald. For information on the paper, please visit its web site at www.oleantimesherald.com

RUSSELL - The Eisenhower Knights struggled with two consecutive 1-8 seasons after reaching the playoffs or the Allegheny Mountain League Championship Game eight straight times under former head coach Conrad Danielson.

But head coach Charlie Troxell improved on the 1-8 campaigns last season, albeit slightly, by leading his Knights to three close wins (one-, two-, and six-point wins), as Eisenhower finished the 2000 season with a 3-6 record. And as Troxell told the Olean Times-Herald's Chuck Pollock, last season was a turning point.

"I think we are on the verge of very good things happening here," Troxell told the New York-based newspaper. "Last year was a turnaround season and we got very competitive. That was especially true the way we played against Kane (a 14-0 loss to the Wolves), which was a playoff team.

"We needed that because the kids were willing to work and needed a reason to feel good about themselves. And I needed it, for my state of mind because I've been so anxious for us to improve."

The Knights only have six seniors on the roster while returning 16 lettermen and 13 starters, a strong sign that Eisenhower is set to up its record.

But despite the number of returning players, less than 20 percent of the roster weighs 200 pounds or more.

Troxell admitted to Pollock that the team is small compared to the rest of the AML, but the kids are tough and technique is stressed.