By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
When the schedule came out for this yearâs Southeast of Saline football season, many thought the Trojans would have three weeks to rest before ramping up into week eight and into a playoff push.
Despite the success that theyâve had and the fact that they will enter this contest as heavy favorites, Hillsboro has emerged as a potential road bump in Southeastâs way, and one they will have to dispatch tonight to remain undefeated on the year.

Southeast has steamrolled all in their path to open the 2025 season, winning their first five games by a combined score of 287-41.
Those wins include a surgical dismantling of Lyons in a 73-7 rout last week, that saw most of Southeastâs freshmen get in for reps.
âI was really proud of our kids for being focused on what we wanted to get done,â SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. âI thought we played well throughout that game, and we were able to get everybody in pads onto the field and got them a chance to compete.â
On the other side of this matchup, Hillsboro is off to a modest 3-2 start, but opened eyes with a blowout win of their own in 54-32 fashion over then-undefeated Ellsworth last week.
âHillsboro is a team thatâs continually improved,â Gebhardt said. âThey have several major pieces back from last year, and theyâve taken steps forward throughout the year. I think weâre playing a very good football team this week.â
The Trojans in Maroon and Gold have found ways to beat opposing defenses in an array of ways, but mostly lean on a strong rushing attack, and solid offensive line play.
âWe need to slow them down in the run game,â he said. They have a line that does a very good job of running the ball hard. They throw the ball just enough to keep you off guard and that can be scary, weâll have to be very sound defensively.â
The defensive side of the ball is where Hillsboro has struggled, allowing 25 or more in three of its five games, and conceding 57 in a loss to Hesston earlier this year.
Southeast will have an excellent chance to take care of business on homecoming weekend, but will need to avoid a repeat of last yearâs Hillsboro game in which they turned the ball over five times.
âWe have to continue playing good team defense, tackling well, and limiting turnovers,â Gebhardt said. âWe didnât take care of the football last year in this game, and they took advantage of that.â
Tonightâs game will be streamed 100% free of charge on the Salina Post Sports Network, and the broadcast will be available both live and on demand.
You can tune in for this game in the window below.