By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
For the third straight year under head coach Mitch Gebhardt, Southeast of Saline is 4-0 to start their season.
The Trojans opened district play with a 60-0 stomping of the Russell Broncos on their own home turf.
Russell ran for just shy of 400 yards in their double-overtime loss to Norton last week, but were held to negative yardage in the first half of their contest against SES.
By the time the teams went into the half, Southeast held a 54-0 lead, thanks in large part to over 150 yards on the ground and four touchdowns from Trojan running back Bryant Banks.
“I felt like we did a great job up front,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “When we can blow those guys off the line and our backs can make cuts it’s fun to be able to call the offense.”
SES wasted no time getting on the board as junior Chase Poague housed the opening kickoff, and a two point conversion had the Trojans up 8-0 just 15 seconds into the game.
After forcing a quick turnover, the Trojans cashed in on their first six offensive drives. Bookending Banks’ four rushing touchdowns were two scores from quarterback Jaxson Gebhardt, one on the ground, the other through the air to Chase Poague.
After halftime, SES pulled the starters and gave several second string players valuable time in a half that saw the clock run from start to finish.
Despite most of the varsity defense taking a breather in the second half, Southeast continued its dominance, holding yet another opponent scoreless and extending their streak of scoreless quarters to 14.
The defense also came up with three picks this week, thanks to Jaxson Gebhardt, Luke Gebhardt and Eli Harris.
“It’s always good to get the ball back, and then execute on offense,” coach Gebhardt said. “I’m excited about how relentless our defense has played, it’s pretty hard to run or pass against them.”
When the final whistle blew the Trojans had outgained Russell by over 300 yards in their biggest statement win of the year.
Southeast will turn their attention to Colby next week in a battle of undefeated teams. It will be the second of their three road games this season.
You can hear coach Gebhardt's full postgame comments here