🏈 Trojans travel to Marysville for playoff rematch with the Bulldogs

By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

Southeast of Saline thrashed Minneapolis in week eight, securing the final spot in the 2A bracket with a 56-0 win at home.

Now, the Trojans turn their attention to an opening round showdown with Marysville, a district opponent that defeated them 28-14 back in week four

Week Seven - SE of Saline (4-4) at Marysville (6-2)

Date/Time - Friday, October 30, 2026, 7:00 kickoff

Location - Marysville HS, Marysville KS

The Series - This year’s 28-14 victory for Marysville was just the third all-time meeting between the Trojans and Bulldogs, and the first in the regular season. The other two came in the postseason, with Southeast winning both games, 60-7 in 2021 and 20-0 in 2020.

Season Results

SE of Saline (5-3)
- W 24-22 vs. Beloit
- W 55-6 at Lyons
- W 48-9 vs. Ellsworth
- L 28-14 at Marysville
- W 22-14 at Wichita Collegiate
- L 14-8 vs. Council Grove
- L 21-20 at Riley County
- W 56-0 vs. Minneapolis

Marysville (6-2)
- L 44-24 at Chapman
- W 28-21 at Clay Center
- W 42-15 vs. Concordia
- W 28-14 vs. SE of Saline
- L 46-41 at Council Grove
- W 28-0 vs. Riley County
- W 35-6 at Minneapolis
- W 41-7 vs. Abilene

District 5 Final Standings
1. Marysville (3-1, 6-2, +51)
2. Riley County (3-1, 6-2, +2)
3. Council Grove (3-1, 7-1, +31)
4. SE of Saline (1-3, 5-3, +0)
—--------------------------------
5. Minneapolis (0-4, 1-7, -84)

NCAA Final Standings
1. SE of Saline (4-0) - League Champs
T2. Beloit (2-1)
T2. Lyons (2-1)
T2. Sacred Heart (2-1)
T5. Republic County (1-2)
T5. Ellsworth (1-3)
7. Minneapolis (0-4)

Broadcast info - This game will be streamed with live video and broadcast commentary on Salina Post and on the Salina Post YouTube page, and will be broadcast on radio on KINA (910 AM, 107.5 FM, or online at 910KINA.com.) Pregame begins at 6:30 on both platforms.

Voice of the Trojans Devin Hanney will provide play-by-play, with Kevin Lilley joining the booth for color commentary.

Stream link

THE TROJANS AT A GLANCE

To the surprise of few, Southeast of Saline handled their business in a do-or-die week eight matchup against Minneapolis, securing their spot in the 2A bracket as a 4-seed.

With the new playoff format, districts no longer cross over, leading to a repeat matchup from week four as the Trojans and Bulldogs meet for the second time this season.

Southeast’s three losses this season came by just 21 combined points, to 7-1 Council Grove, 6-2 Riley County, and 6-2 Marysville, with the majority of those five losses coming at the hands of the other two.

The SES defense has continued to play lights out, holding opponents to just 14 points per game, while racking up 66 TFL, 13 sacks, 6 interceptions, and 7 fumble recoveries.

Tiernan Ptacek continues to lead the charge at quarterback, leading the Trojans in both passing (1,568 yds, 16 TD, 6 INT), and rushing (130 car, 614 yds, 10 TD).

A LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS

Marysville has looked dominant this season, completely righting the ship after a 1-8 finish to the 2025 season.

The Bulldogs two losses came at the hands of 6-2 Chapman and 7-1 Council Grove, both excellent teams in their own right.

Ground and pound has been the name of the game for the Marysville offense, with 315 carries for over 2,000 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns on the ground compared to just 347 yards and 5 scores through the air.

The first time these two got together, that rushing attack racked up over 300 yards agasint the Trojan defense, and the 28-point mark still stands as the most Southeast has surrendered this season.

QUOTES FROM COACH PTACEK

On a dominant 56-0 win over Minneapolis…

“Our kids were very locked in on going 1-0 against Minneapolis and they came out and played very well after two tough losses. We’re battle-tested after playing a really strong 2A district and we did what we needed to do to get into the playoffs; now we get to see what we can do.”

On facing a repeat opponent in the first week of the playoffs…

“We’re familiar with each other and there are some things we can learn from that week four film but the kids are just grinding and getting ready for a new week.”

On a 28-14 week four final against Marysville…

“That first game was kind of a turning point for our boys and it showed us the speed and physicality we would have to play with to contend at that level. Marysville had that for the full game and we didn’t but our kids responded and they’ve made a lot of improvements since then.”

On slowing down the Marysville rushing attack…

“We have to stick to our 1-11 defensive mentality, do our job and play disciplined football. The second you try to do someone else’s job is when they can really hurt you so we have to stay focused this week.”

On the improvement of the offense over the last few weeks…

“The kids have been working on the offensive side and it’s just about executing the things we need to do, finishing carries, finishing blocks, taking care of the football. Those are challenges we’ve issued all year but the kids have responded to that and they’ve made huge strides.”