By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Three weeks ago, 64 schools set out on a mission to become the Kansas 3a state football champion.
This week, just eight of those schools remain, among them, the undefeated 9-0 Southeast of Saline Trojans.
The Trojans defeated Clay Center 46-8, and Marysville 20-0 to reach the quarterfinal round. Now, they will travel to face a 9-1 Wichita Collegiate team which should prove to be their toughest task yet.
The Wichita Collegiate Spartans have lost just one game all season long: a 43-14 beatdown at the hands of an Andale team that remains the top ranked team in 3A.
Aside from that, the Spartans have marched to nine victories, including playoff wins over Pratt and Cheney to reach this crucial quarterfinal match.
“Our kids understand what’s on the line and we’ve had about a month of really great practices,” Spartan head coach Troy Black said. “I’ve been really proud of them and they understand what’s at stake.”
Wichita Collegiate is led by quarterback Wesley Fair who has put up staggering numbers this season with over 2,300 total yards of offense and 32 total touchdowns, most of that damage coming on the ground.
“He’s very good,” Trojan coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “Just maintaining him is a task in and of itself and then they have some other talented guys in the backfield that present their own problems as well.”
The Spartans will have their hands full defending a backfield of Jaxson Gebhardt and Bryant Banks, who have moved the ball at will on opposing defenses all season.
“We’re going to play against the biggest running back we’ve seen all year and their quarterback has a very good football IQ,” Black said, They have a big offensive line which will be a challenge for us. They do what they do and they do it very well.”
For coach Gebhardt and company, getting that backfield going will be crucial to their success against WCHS this week.
“I really think our run game is important,” he said. “We’ll throw it when we need to but if we can keep their offense off the field that’d be good for us.”
For coach Black and the Spartans, eliminating turnovers will be a huge key heading into this week.
“We can’t turn the ball over,” he said. “We have to value every possession. When you play really good teams like SES if you hand them the ball they’re going to take advantage of that. We’re not great enough to turn the ball over a lot and win.”
The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of Riley County (8-1) and Andale (9-0).
Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm in Wichita and as always, Eagle radio is the home for Southeast of Saline football. This game can be heard on KINA (910 am and 107.5 FM) or streamed live on Salina Post.
Feature image of the team courtesy Jessica Kendall Sprecker.