By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

On Friday night, a 19-year wait came to an end for the Southeast of Saline faithful as the Trojans dethroned the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central 36-28 in an instant classic.

Southeast took a haymaker in this game that would have knocked out most other teams, but the Trojans picked themselves up off the mat and hit back, scoring two touchdowns in the final two minutes to complete a fourth-quarter comeback for the ages.

“These last two games have taken ten years off my life but that’s okay,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “This is the personality of these kids, they don’t give up, they keep working; we had some bad things happen to us and fumbled the ball twice after fumbling once all year but the kids kept clawing against a really good Nemaha Central team and we got the victory.”

Gannon Jacobson started the party for the Trojans early, leading SES down the field on their opening drive and scrambling 18 yards to give Southeast a 6-0 lead.

Nemaha Central wasted no time responding, as Carter Hajek did the same, capping off a long drive with a touchdown pass to Jack Macke.

After the two sides traded punts, the Trojans found their footing on offense once again, this time via Grady Gebhardt, who took a right-side toss to the end zone for his first TD of the game.

One stop later, the Southeast offense was back on the field, and Gebhardt was back in the end zone, this time on a 3-yard throwback from Gannon Jacobson.

The Thunder came close to answering before the break, but another stand for the SES defense ensured a 20-7 Trojan lead going into halftime.

Those wondering when the two-time defending state champs would bare their teeth didn’t have to wait long, as near the end of the third quarter, Hajek kicked off a massive swing for the Thunder with a touchdown run from three yards out.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Trojans fumbled the ball away deep in their own territory, and Hajek wasted no time punishing them for that mistake, scoring his third touchdown of the day and tying the game at 20 on a three-yard rush.

In desperate need of an answer, Southeast, who had lost just one fumble all season long, inexplicably coughed up their second fumble of the day, and Hajek again engineered a long drive, delivering Nemaha Central a 28-20 lead with under 2:00 to play.

That 21-point swing should have been a knockout blow to a Trojan team that suddenly found themselves on the ropes against a squad many around the state fully expected to finish off their three-peat.

“In the last two weeks, our kids never wavered," Gebhardt said. "That’s a remarkable trait of this team to be able to perform under that much pressure, and I'm so proud of them for finding a way to get it done.”

The desperation drive began at their own 40-yard line, where Grady Gebhardt took a screen through two tackles to flip fields on a 20-yard gain.

Completions to Evan Watkins and Kanyon Douglas on back-to-back plays put the Trojans in the red zone, and a carry by Jacobson got them ahead to the four-yard-line.

On second and goal, Jacobson rolled to his left, slipped a potential sack in the backfield, and scampered up the middle of the field, absorbing contact on his way into the end zone to give the Trojans six points and new life.

Needing a two-point conversion, SES reached into their bag of tricks, handing the ball off to Tucker Thaxton who delivered a pass to the back corner, hitting Malachi Hopkins for a crucial two-point conversion for the tie.

That two-play swing completely shifted the momentum of this game, and with the wind in their sails, Southeast kicked off, hoping to get one last stop to send the game to overtime.

What happened next was something lifted straight out of a Hollywood movie.

A short kick into the wind took an awkward bounce at the 30-yard line and began moving back toward the advancing Trojan coverage team.

Southeast’s Kaden Barragan somehow managed to beat every white jersey on the field to the football, recovering for Southeast of Saline deep in Thunder territory with just under 1:00 left to play.

Nemaha’s defense held to force fourth and eight and appeared to have Southeast stopped with Jacobson scrambling around in the backfield, but smelling blood in the water, the Trojan signal caller improvised and found Tucker Thaxton at the 20-yard line.

Thaxton had a defender draped around his legs as he made the catch but managed to wrench himself free and scamper up the sideline behind a Kaden Barragan block, taking the ball all the way to the promised land to deliver the unlikeliest of leads to the underdog Trojans.

For good measure, Jacobson found Evan Watkins for the two-point conversion to make the lead eight, and one last Southeast stop turned the long-awaited dream into a concrete reality.

For the first time since 2005, the Southeast of Saline Trojans were state champions.

“If you keep knocking sooner or later that door is going to open," Gebhardt said. "You have to have some things go your way to get to this point and we’ve had some teams come awfully close but it’s a great feeling to finally win a state championship.”

This is the first undefeated season in SES history, as the Trojans lived up to their expectation of going 1-0 each week 13 times.

Gannon Jacobson finished the day 8-16 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the ball 11 times for 75 yards and two more scores on the ground.

Grady Gebhardt capped off his fantastic season with another 100-yard performance, scoring two of Southeast’s touchdowns on the day.

Tucker Thaxton did the same, scoring two times on just three catches but showing up when it mattered most.

Jacobson and Gebhardt will anchor a proverbial who’s who of returners when the Trojans look to defend their crown in 2025, but Southeast will have to say goodbye to a senior class that led them to a remarkable record over the last four seasons.

That class includes Tucker Thaxton, Evan Watkins, Kendall Minneman, Landon Allbrecht, Trey Droge, Ian Nickelson, Deacon Baier, Alec Sawyers, and Cooper Westhoff.

“Those guys are 45-3 in four years of high school football and they’ve been our leaders since taking the torch from the classes that came before them," he said. "They’ve had their heart broken three times in the last three years and for them to be able to win a state championship and go out this way it’s a great feeling for them and it’s a great feeling for me as a coach.”

This win also marks the first state title for head coach Mitch Gebhardt, whose record at Southeast of Saline now sits at 116-39, including a 54-4 run over the last five seasons.

“My coaching staff is unbelievable," Gebhardt said. "They go to work every day and we don’t set a clock, we work until the work gets done. I’m so proud of those guys, they’ve done such a great job for us over the years. I’m also proud of our kids and the way they kept battling. We’ve had a lot of awfully good football teams that have come up short but everyone can be proud of these guys for getting it done.”

Purple Reign: SES claims their second state title with comeback win over Nemaha Central

Mid-November marks the peak of the deer rut season, a time when deer are more active as they search for mates, increasing the likelihood of vehicle collisions. Since November 11, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 11 deer-related crashes, with only one resulting in minor injuries, according to Saline County Sheriff's Office Operations Captain Jim Hughes.

It is important not to swerve to avoid hitting a deer, as that can result in a more serious crash, potentially involving other vehicles or objects off the road.

Drivers are advised to reduce speed in areas where deer are commonly seen, especially at dawn and dusk, and to use high beams when appropriate to improve visibility.

Always wear your seatbelt and ensure children are in appropriate safety seats. Use bright headlights when there is no oncoming traffic, and scan for the reflective eyes of deer along the roadway.

Saline Co. Sheriff's Office urges caution during deer season

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Salina Post is thrilled to announce an exciting update - we are now accepting letters to the editor from our readers. We believe that our community's voices deserve to be heard, and providing a platform for open dialogue and constructive discussions is essential to a strong free press.&nbsp;

With the new letters to the editor offering, we aim to create a space where readers can express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on a wide range of local topics that impact their daily lives.&nbsp;

Submitting a letter to the editor is simple. Just email your letter to <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>

Ensure that your letter is concise and respectful. We value thoughtful and constructive discussions, so please make sure to present your arguments in a clear and coherent manner.

While we appreciate and encourage diverse perspectives, we also have certain guidelines in place. Letters should be free from hate speech, name-calling or any form of discrimination. We believe in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all readers.

Our editorial team will review all submissions and select letters that align with our guidelines and contribute positively to the conversation. We may edit letters for clarity, grammar, and length, but we will strive to maintain the essence of your message.

We are excited about this new opportunity to amplify your voice and encourage you to take advantage of this platform.

So, whether you have a burning issue or an important message to share, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. Let's come together, learn from each other, and build a stronger community through the power of words.

All letters must include the author's name. No anonymous letters to the editor will be published, but if you have a news tip or an issue you would like us to know about still reach out via email at newstips@salinapost.com

<a href="https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main">Information Courtesy University of Kansas Community Toolbox</a>

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You believe you can even influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. But, you want to reach an audience larger than just your friends or your group membership. Letters to the editor can be an effective way to get the word out.

A letter to the editor is a written way of talking to a newspaper, magazine, or other regularly printed publication. Letters to the editor are generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a magazine, or in the editorial page. They can take a position for or against an issue, or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. 

Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words.

Using a few carefully placed letters, you can generate plenty of community discussion. You can also keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. You can stimulate the interest of the news media and create more coverage for the matters you're working on. You can also send a "good news" letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort.

Salina Post accepting letters to the editor

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our news tip email address. Have a breaking news story, a community event, or a feel-good story that deserves to be shared? 

Submit your news tips via email to <a href="http://newstips@salinapost.com">newstips@salinapost.com</a>

Whether you're a Salina local, a native Kansan, or have moved out of state, we want to hear from you. Your contributions help us keep our community informed and engaged. 

So, if you have a story to tell or a photo of breaking news we should know about, send it to newstips@salinapost.com.

Salina Post news tip email address

Looking for a new podcast to keep you informed and connected within your local community? Look no further than Eagle Media's latest podcast, "King in the Community."&nbsp;

Join Eagle Media Salina News Director Nate King as he talks with local and regional government officials, first responders, non-profit leaders and unique individuals with fascinating stories from north central Kansas and beyond. Learn about how organizations in your neighborhood leverage their partnerships to create a more interconnected community.

Available on all your favorite platforms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/king-in-the-community/id1687185014">Apple podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/">Podbean</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZeCj4TK3kaOZEvgQaDlio">&nbsp;Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c78f2e2e-c714-4aaf-ad4c-4864a4038889">Amazon Audible</a>, TuneIn + Alexa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/king-in-the-community-5324914">Podchaser,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/62430">Boomplay</a>.&nbsp;

No matter what streaming service you use, we've got you covered with engaging discussions and insightful interviews that will help you understand the issues that matter most to you.&nbsp; So why wait? Tune in to the "King in the Community" podcast today and discover a new way to stay connected.

For a full list of episodes<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/page/2/">&nbsp;click here</a>. Thanks for listening!

🎙The latest from 'King in the Community' with Nate King

The Salina League of Women Voters held its 2024 General Election Forum on Oct. 20 at 1:30 in the Watson Room at the Stiefel Theatre in Salina. 

Click the link above to watch the candidates answer questions from the media and the public. Candidates present at the forum included Senate District 24-John Baker, House District 69-Lori Blake, and Clarke Sanders; Saline County Commission District 2-Annie Grevas and Kathleen Malone Crouch.

Noticeably absent from the forum was State Senator J.R. Claeys, whose empty chair and name card can be seen on the far left of the table of candidates.&nbsp;

Check Salina Post for an article about the candidate's responses on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

2024 League of Women Voters General Election Candidate Forum

Kansas Highway Patrol It’s a busy time for farmers in Kansas with fall harvest underway. The Kansas Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to use more caution and patience when traveling around farm trucks, tractors, combines, and other implements.

“As the busy farming season is underway, each traveler in Kansas needs to be more aware of increased farm implement and truck traffic,” said Captain Candice Breshears. “In Kansas, we have many trucks exiting and entering the roadways at any given time. Traveling around these vehicles requires extra caution.”

Most farm equipment is not designed to travel at highway speeds and may only travel 15-25 mph. Farm equipment is often wider than the lane of traffic, so extra room should be allowed when sharing the road. Caution should be practiced on all roads, but especially on busy rural roads with unmarked intersections.

Don’t assume the farmer knows you’re there.

Although most farmers regularly check for vehicles behind them, the majority of their focus must be spent looking ahead to stay on the road and watch for oncoming traffic. Implements are very loud, hindering their ability to hear your vehicle.

Don’t pass unless you can see clearly ahead of both your vehicle and the equipment you are passing. If there are curves or hills blocking your view, wait until you can clearly visualize the area you are passing in. You should not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone,” even if you are stuck behind a farm vehicle. Do not pass if you are within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure, or tunnel.

When a farm vehicle pulls to the right side of the road, it does not mean it is turning right or allowing you to pass.

Due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must execute wide left turns, so allow it plenty of room and time to turn and remain aware of any potential driveway or field they may be turning into.

Don’t assume that a farmer can move aside to let you pass. Shoulders may be soft, wet, or steep, which can cause the farm vehicle to tip, or the shoulder may not support the weight of a heavy farm vehicle. They understand you are being delayed and will move over at the first safe location available.

Think of the slow-moving vehicle emblem as a warning to adjust your speed.

When you see the slow-moving vehicle emblem, immediately slow down. While the emblems are visible from a long distance, it is difficult to judge the speed at which you are closing in on the vehicle, especially at night.

When you are not focused solely on the road, you increase your chances of a collision, especially if you should come upon a slow-moving farm vehicle.

KHP: Extra caution needed on Kansas roads during harvest

24/7 Travel Store is excited to kick off our 7th annual Food Bank Fill-Up campaign, “Driving Out Hunger. Together.” This month-long effort, which runs through September, will help local food banks across Kansas by matching donations up to $3,000 per store.

“At 24/7 Travel Store, giving back is a big part of who we are,” said Ted Augustine, President of 24/7 Travel Store. “Our Food Bank Fill-Up is a powerful way for us to team up with our customers and help those in need right here in our local communities. We’re grateful for the support we see each year and are proud to continue this tradition.”

The highlight of this year’s campaign is our “Hunger Action Day” event on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Food Bank representatives will be on-site at each of our stores, with times varying by location, to engage with customers and educate them on the available food bank services. They will also explain how the funds raised will be used and encourage individuals to give. On this day, we’ll also be accepting food donations in addition to monetary contributions.

The campaign has garnered strong support year after year, and Jackie Hynes, Director of Marketing at 24/7 Travel Store, is looking forward to this year’s efforts. "This will be my third year coordinating the Food Bank Fill-Up, and I’m continually inspired by the dedication of our team and the generosity of our community," Hynes said. "Through this campaign, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the incredible work our Kansas food banks do, often relying solely on community support without access to state or grant funding. I’m proud of the efforts we all put in to support such a tremendous need and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most."

We invite everyone to join us on September 21 and throughout the month to support this important cause. Whether by donating or simply spreading the word, every action counts. For more information, including event details and how to get involved, visit 24-7stores.com/news or check out our Facebook page.

Proudly Supporting These Kansas Food Banks Abilene Area Food &amp; Clothing Bank (Abilene) • Community Care Ministries (Maple Hill) • Genesis Food Pantry of Sherman County (Goodland) • Genesis Food Pantry of Thomas County (Colby) • McPherson County Food Bank (McPherson) • Russell County Food Pantry (Russell) • Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank (Salina) • Trego County Food Pantry (WaKeeney)

24/7 Travel Store launches 7th-annual food bank fill-up

Precipitation data courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">The National Weather Service</a>.

Following precipitation events, Salina Post will update this page with precipitation totals.&nbsp;

As of 08/01/2024 at 8:22 a.m.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/515dcf98-45ad-4e68-b2a2-ed8218a2c9e7">UPDATED: Thousands of Salinans left without power after severe thunderstorm</a>

CoCoRaHS 24-hour rain totals

In today's digital age, reliable&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. To address&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;deficiencies and enhance connectivity throughout the county, Saline County has contracted with Design Nine, Inc. of Blacksburg, VA, to conduct a comprehensive&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;study.

Design Nine will examine existing&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;assets offered by local telecom providers and cable companies. The analysis will cover the types of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;services available, usage patterns, and, most importantly, gaps in coverage. Based on this data, Design Nine will propose strategies for improving&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;services in Saline County.

The success of this project is completely dependent upon the participation of Saline County residents. Saline County urges every resident and business owner to complete the&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;surveys to provide the essential data needed to shape the future of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;in Saline County. The data collected will empower local leaders and stakeholders to make informed decisions about expanding&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access in Saline County.

To view the Saline County Resident Broadband Survey <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-residential">click here</a>

To view the Saline County Business Broadband Survey <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-business">click here</a>

Para encuestas en español haga <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-residential-espaniol">clic aquí.</a>

Paper surveys will also be available at select locations throughout the county to gather&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;coverage information from those who may not have the ability to fill the survey out online.&nbsp;

Eagle Communications Media Center, 1825 S Ohio St, Salina, KS 67401 Ad Astra Coffee, 135 N Santa Fe Ave, Salina Assaria Hardware,&nbsp;104 W Main St, Assaria, KS 67416 Gypsum Exit 14 Restaurant, 512 Maple St, Gypsum, KS 67448 Salina Public Library,&nbsp;301 W Elm St, Salina, KS 67401 City/County Building, 300 W. Ash St., Salina, KS 67401 Salina Family Healthcare Center,&nbsp;651 E Prescott Rd, Salina, KS 67401

Join Saline County and Design Nine at the Salina Public Library for a come-and-go community forum to discuss broadband equity in Saline County.

Location:&nbsp;Salina Public Library Technology Center, 301 W. Elm St., Salina, KS 67401

Date and time:&nbsp;Tue, Jun 25, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Andrew Cohill, PhD, President and CEO of Design Nine, Inc., and Jack Maytum, Senior Broadband Analyst for Design Nine, invite area business owners/operators to a "Broadband for Business" community forum on June 26 from 8 am to 10 am at the Visit Salina Annex.

Design Nine was founded in 1987 by&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SYjhHIvUEbYAD5n0QU_OpqxgOhnDNhg0ShSJIATRPvIETbZvOQDuYYeQ99-AwW1jGsnC_0F5-yldrwkTnfttUmgXSuaiZ0MqjtktW-YCnkFPMo06f12vf27bAQERkW-FmxkStUc8WEM6NDypZ-OlM6qS3UP6cYX4Mynh4O4LnEo=&amp;c=1dvxXSqYqatdx2j2aTz5MeEkF67zgBmJ3aKNSDVzwXBRzmSUv3nlVw==&amp;ch=zKVtLyBFknwKo0fhEzbpAHEuSmYE0Op4Q4ZfnP4xo-s3UVIcxP38Ug==" target="_blank">Andrew Cohill</a>&nbsp;to provide technology advice and services to community, business, and public clients. Over the years, the company has grown steadily and now offers a comprehensive array of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;network services, including early phase planning, network architecture and design, and network construction oversight and project management. Design Nine is one of a very few firms in the United States with experience in the design, construction, and operation of open access&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;networks.

Design Nine projects have included the award-winning nDanville municipal open network, The Wired Road open access network, New Hampshire FastRoads, Rockbridge Area Network Authority network, the City of Eagan, Minnesota open access network, and over a hundred other planning efforts for communities in more than twenty states. The&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SYjhHIvUEbYAD5n0QU_OpqxgOhnDNhg0ShSJIATRPvIETbZvOQDuYYeQ99-AwW1jyrd0G17qjB9Htm_1t2D4S8-QsMbTIdVsv47rJAqF2MWuQlD_FK7_7Q3xSeC4ULHgRMpgqrYR7Nt_2N5zEPpxbcbGTb-A-8AZ&amp;c=1dvxXSqYqatdx2j2aTz5MeEkF67zgBmJ3aKNSDVzwXBRzmSUv3nlVw==&amp;ch=zKVtLyBFknwKo0fhEzbpAHEuSmYE0Op4Q4ZfnP4xo-s3UVIcxP38Ug==" target="_blank">senior leadership</a>&nbsp;of Design Nine has extensive, hands-on experience designing and managing telecommunications and&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;systems.

Design Nine, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its main office in the Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Design Nine has satellite offices in Keene, New Hampshire and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Andrew Cohill is the President of Design Nine. His career in telecom began in the early eighties with work at AT&amp;T Bell Labs.

Cohill has been helping communities develop, build, and operate modern&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;fiber and wireless networks since 1993 when Virginia Tech appointed him the first Director of the Blacksburg Electronic Village, the world’s first Internet-based community&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;project.

Cohill has worked with more than 300 communities worldwide on telecommunications planning, design, and engineering of next-generation high-performance&nbsp;wireless and fiber&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;networks.&nbsp;He has provided assistance to community&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;projects throughout North America, including Canada and the Caribbean. Design Nine provides&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;planning, network construction services, and network operations services for public and private clients throughout the U.S.

Cohill has written and spoken extensively on the future of communities and the relationship between community and economic development and&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;infrastructure. He has a worldwide reputation for his work in helping governments and communities make wise technology investments that support jobs, economic development, and intelligent use of the Internet.&nbsp;

Jack Maytum is a Senior&nbsp;Broadband&nbsp;Analyst with Design Nine.&nbsp;Over the ten years with the company, Maytum has worked with dozens of town, county, and city&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;feasibility and planning studies.&nbsp;He specializes in community engagement activities, stakeholder engagement, and service provider outreach.

Maytum’s experience in telecom network management began as a communications officer in the U.S. Amy Signal Corp. Later, Maytum worked for AT&amp;T, coordinating the efforts of sales staff and networking professionals who were providing telecom services to Connecticut’s 147,000 business customers.

As Director of Marketing for Nestor Traffic Systems, Maytum prepared technical information for presentations to mayors, councils, and County managers across the U.S. regarding the installation and operation of networked red light cameras and speed detection systems. He also taught network programming for five years at Northeastern University’s State-of-the-Art Engineering program.

﻿Funded by $48,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, this study is crucial for identifying service gaps and developing strategies to improve&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access.

Saline County to host broadband community forums this week

High School LIVE STREAMS

In 2005, Southeast of Saline appeared in and won its first state football championship in school history, defeating Silver Lake 30-28.

The road back to that promised land has been anything but straight and simple, but on Friday night, the Trojans have earned an opportunity to play for a second state title in Hutch against the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central.

In the 19 years since their last championship appearance, Southeast of Saline underwent a coaching change, joined a league, and fought through several re-classifications, but one thing has remained the same: the tradition of excellence in Gypsum.

Under 15th-year head coach Mitch Gebhardt, the Trojans have posted 12 winning seasons and made several deep playoff runs, but even amidst all that success, the last five years have been a sight to behold.

Since kicking off the 2020 season, Southeast has an overall record of 53-4, with each of those losses capping off a deep playoff run in a state quarter or semifinal.

Those campaigns served as building blocks as the Trojans grew their program from a feel good success story, into an emerging dynasty, and now, just one box remains unchecked.

“We’ve had so many good teams over the years, and all of those guys helped us build towards getting to this game,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “It’s a great feeling to play in this game, and our kids are awfully proud and excited to do it.”

In addition to great teams on the field, Gebhardt has built a small but mighty coaching staff, with Chance Ptacek, Trenton Douglas, Todd Baird and Kent Jacobson helping to elevate the program to new heights.

“The guys I get to coach with are outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “They don’t worry about how long it takes; they just worry about getting the job done, and that’s a big deal when you’re coaching football. Some weeks take longer than others, but those guys do everything they have to put our kids in a position to be successful.”

The Trojans picked up right where they left off in 2024, rolling eight opponents to finish a fifth straight undefeated regular season.&nbsp;

From there, they handed a loss to Larned 76-12, knocked off Norton 34-7, held off Hoisington 30-8, and last week, beat Beloit 34-30 on a thrilling buzzer-beating touchdown.

“I’m really proud of how we handled the situations we faced in that Beloit game,” he said. “Our kids did a great job of not panicking and I think our defense set us up for that finish. We stuck to the game plan, made tackles when we needed to and gave our offense an opportunity to score with 42 seconds left. That was a proud coach moment.”

With 12 wins behind them, just one opponent remains, but the Trojans will have their work cut out for them against a Nemaha Central team that has served as Class 2A’s final boss for three years running.

“Nemaha Central has been outstanding over the years, and their coaching staff does a great job with their guys,” Gebhardt said. “It’s neat that we get to go up against the two-time defending state champs to see how we stack up against them.”

The Thunder have strung together a run rivaling that of SES, winning three state championships since merging Nemaha Valley and Baileyville B&amp;B in 2014.

In addition to two state titles, Nemaha Central boasts a record of 37-1 over the last three years and will be considered favorites by many to three-peat, an outside attitude that suits Southeast just fine.

“If you look at the big picture, they’re the two-time defending state champions, and I think a lot of people will view us as underdogs in this game,” he said. “That’s something that we’ll embrace and talk about, but they’re the champs until they’re not, and we have to take that mentality into this game.”

That lone loss for the Thunder came in a 16-8 headscratcher to Marysville in week one, but since then, Nemaha has been perfect, winning their last seven in the regular season and rolling through Fredonia, Sabetha, Osage City and Council Grove in these playoffs.

Much of Nemaha Central’s success has come on the back of quarterback Carter Hajek, who has completed 60% of his passes for 1,026 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Hajek truly shines on the ground, where he leads the Thunder with 330 carries for 2,148 yards and 38 touchdowns, with just one fumble all season long.

“Their quarterback run game is what that offense revolves around,” Gebhardts said. “You can’t stop that, but you can try to slow it down a little. He gets a lot of the credit but they do a great job with their scheme and blocking for him to make that happen. We’ll have to get a lot of hats to the football and play together on defense on Friday.”

Hajak has certainly garnered a lot of media attention in the buildup to this game and should rightfully be considered the best pure athlete on the field. But with a three-headed monster on offense and a swarming defense that allows just 11 points per game, Southeast will be ready to challenge the kings on Friday night.

Despite being a first-year starter, Gannon Jacobson has already etched his name into the record books at Southeast of Saline, completing 58% of his passes for over 2,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and ten interceptions while also rushing for just shy of 1,000 yards and eight more touchdowns on the ground.

“Gannon works hard, and he’s a good athlete,” he said. “We knew he’d be good, but he’s continued to improve throughout the year. When you struggle with something you get better, and he struggled early on but he’s worked hard at it and things have slowed down for him. He sees things now that he didn’t before.”

While Jacobson rules the air, Grady Gebhardt, the youngest son of head coach Mitch Gebhardt, has owned the ground, toting the rock 176 times for 1,340 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 20 receptions for 303 yards and two more scores in the passing game.

“Getting an opportunity to coach my kids and the kids in their classes has been outstanding,” he said. “All of them bring something a little different to the table, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

Teams that have managed to slow down Jacobson and Gebhardt have seldom had an answer for Tucker Thaxton on the edge, as the senior has torched opposing secondaries for 935 yards and 14 touchdowns as Jacobson’s favorite target.

“Tucker has great speed but his route running is outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “He’s worked his tail off to get to where he’s at. Defensively, he’s hard-nosed; he’ll come up and make a hard tackle when he needs to but he knows when to hunt that football too.”

All of this is to say nothing of the Trojan defense led by Brody Chambers (66 tackles, 20 TFL, 6 sacks), Kanyon Douglas (98 tackles, 3 INT), Bryson Lippold (66 tackles), and a slew others, who have allowed 21 or more points just one time all season.

While the Trojans have not played in a football state title game since 2005, this group of players is no stranger to pressure, having played through multiple deep playoff runs in almost every sport in Gypsum.

“These kids have played in so many big games between football, basketball, baseball and track,” he said. “I think they’ll handle this moment well. Winning a game like we did last week helps confidence and helps the way you look at things as well.”

A win over Nemaha Central will take nothing less than the Trojan’s best game of football on Friday, but Southeast is ready to leave it all on the field as they look to cap off the first undefeated season in program history with a 2A title.

“We have to make sure that we take care of the football and get first downs on offense,” Gebhardt said. “In games like this every play matters and when we have an opportunity to make a play we have to make a play. Defensively we have to play as a team and get to the football together. In big teams like this a special teams play can also make a big difference.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 on Friday at HCC-Gowans Stadium in Hutch.

As always, the game can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.

Due to KSHSAA regulations, the game will not be streamed live on Salina Post but will be available to watch on-demand immediately following the game by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.

Trojans travel to Hutch for state showdown with defending champion Nemaha Central

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Austin, T-Vine Kelson

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Flippin, Michelle Laverne

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body, Poss of marijuana and Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Saline County Jail Bookings, Nov. 29

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> The Beacon

From 2021 to 2022, the number of Kansas children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from grew by 37,000.&nbsp;

The rise in food insecurity shows up at food banks across the state.&nbsp;

Aundrea Walker, the executive director of Just Food, said 30% of the people it serves are under 18 years old. Walker has worked at the Lawrence-based food bank for 10 years. She’s never seen demand so high.&nbsp;

“The amount of individuals and households we’re serving is absolutely insane,” she said.&nbsp;

Walker said Just Food spends about $40,000 a month on food. That isn’t enough.&nbsp;

“We’re constantly running out,” she said.&nbsp;

Walker said the pantry had to create new, paid staff positions to collect more food. At other food banks, some families line up two hours before the pantry opens.&nbsp;

The jump in food insecurity is mostly attributed to two things: rising inflation and pandemic-era benefit programs running out. Combined, they leave less money for families and force tough choices between paying bills or eating.&nbsp;

The number of children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from jumped from 13.4% in 2021 to 19.1% in 2022, according to Kansas Action for Children’s 2024 Kids Count Databook.&nbsp;

“(I’m) alarmed by it,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children. “When we see every single Kansas county experience an increase in food insecurity among kids, that’s troubling.”&nbsp;

Certain pandemic-era programs ran out at the end of 2021 or start of 2022. Families getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, could receive the maximum benefit. That ended. Congress temporarily expanded a child care tax credit giving families hundreds more per year. That didn’t make it past 2021. Cost-free student meals were an option. But that was gone by the summer of 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To help kids in Kansas, “we have to help the people who care for them, too,” Wilson said.&nbsp;

Advocates for a stronger social safety want the Republican-controlled Statehouse to put more tax dollars toward things like food security.&nbsp;

Kansas Republicans not likely to address food insecurity

Republican leaders in the House and Senate didn’t say whether they’d debate bills to address the issue. Historically, the conservative state Legislature hasn’t seriously considered proposals in recent years that would expand SNAP or other social service programs.&nbsp;

Advocates for more public spending on social services say the Legislature has instead put up barriers.&nbsp;

The 2015 Hope Act bans state officials from using federal or state money to advertise SNAP programs on radio, billboards or television. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said only 70% of eligible people actually get SNAP benefits in Kansas. That’s below the national average of 82%.&nbsp;

Kansas is one of the last states in the country not using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-10-02/why-kansas-makes-it-harder-to-qualify-for-food-assistance-than-most-other-states">broad-based categorical eligibility</a>. It’s a federal program that allows more flexibility in admitting Kansans to food benefit programs. It doesn’t guarantee more people get SNAP, but it can mean owning a car or having more assets doesn’t disqualify someone.&nbsp;

Kansas also permanently bans people with multiple drug felonies from getting food stamps, and just last year, the House Welfare Reform Committee supported a bill that would prevent families from buying candy or soda with EBT cards.&nbsp;

Republicans argue those policies protect against the misuse of tax money.

Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, introduced a bill to prevent the Kansas Department for Children and Families from participating in the summer electronic benefits transfer for children program. That program gives Kansas families who are on free or reduced-price lunches a one-time, $120 payment for meals over the summer.&nbsp;

Awerkamp, chair of the Welfare Reform committee, didn’t respond to requests from The Beacon.&nbsp;

Walker, with Just Food, said the Legislature has done some things to help. It eliminated the sales tax on groceries, which helps when you spend $460,000 a year on food like her group does. She said efforts to cap inflation would also help, but food insecurity is a multifaceted problem that can’t be fixed with just one bill.&nbsp;

The pandemic-era benefits programs cost millions, which is one reason Republicans are apprehensive about expansion. Haley Kottler, an advocate for a strong social safety net at Kansas Appleseed, said cheaper alternatives could feed more Kansans.&nbsp;

The Legislature could end the food stamps ban for Kansans with multiple drug felonies. The state could also simplify the food assistance application program so it isn’t as complicated to apply. Kottler also wants to see universal meal programs expanded.&nbsp;

Harvesters helps food banks in 17 counties in northeast Kansas and 10 counties in northwest Missouri. Sarah Biles, a Harvesters spokesperson, said the demand for food assistance hasn’t been this strong since the 2008 recession. Demand at food pantries was dropping year after year until the pandemic hit, and the 2022 numbers ballooned back up to the 2008 level.&nbsp;

Biles said government intervention is important. For every meal provided by a food bank or charitable organization, SNAP can provide nine meals.&nbsp;

“We definitely all need to work together to solve this issue,” she said. “There’s plenty of food in the United States. It’s a matter of getting all that food to where it’s needed most.”&nbsp;

Child hunger rose 6%, and it isn’t clear what Kansas lawmakers will do

Tax Planning is More Than Making Estimated Payments

There is a popular misconception that tax planning for small and medium-sized businesses is simply figuring out how much tax will be owed and making estimated payments. But those are just tax projections.

True tax planning is looking at the life span of a business and asking where it is today in terms of growth and profitability, where it has been in the recent past and where it is going based on current projections.

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