By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Southeast of Saline got right back in the win column last Friday, coming back in dramatic fashion to defeat Wichita Collegiate 22-14 on the road.
The Trojans return to Gypsum, and to district play this week as they welcome in undefeated Council Grove for a huge week six showdown.
Week Six - SE of Saline (4-1) at Council Grove (5-0)
Date/Time - Friday, October 9, 2026, 7:00 kickoff
Location - SE of Saline High School, Gypsum, KS
The Series - The Trojans and Braves have met seven times since 1980, with SES posting a 6-1 record against Council Grove. Southeast has won each of the last five meetings, including the most recent matchup in 2019, which went the way of SES 41-21.
Season Results
SE of Saline
- 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
Council Grove
- W 62-6 vs. Mission Valley
- W 22-14 at Osage City
- W 66-0 vs. West Franklin
- W 69-6 at Minneapolis
- W 46-41 vs. Marysville
District 5 Standings
1. Council Grove (2-0, 5-0, +26)
1. Riley County (1-0, 4-1, +21)
3. Marysville (1-1, 3-2, +9)
4. SE of Saline (0-1, 4-1, -14)
5. Minneapolis (0-2, 0-5, -42)
NCAA Standings (league, overall)
1. SE of Saline (3-0, 4-1)
T2. Lyons (2-1, 4-1)
T2. Sacred Heart (2-1, 3-2)
4. Beloit (1-1, 4-1)
T5. Republic County (1-2, 1-4)
T5. Ellsworth (1-2, 1-4)
7. Minneapolis (0-3, 0-5)
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 - youtube.com/watch?v=0zA22-ohX-g
THE TROJANS AT A GLANCE
There is still work to do, but Southeast of Saline has set themselves up for a late-season surge with a 4-1 start through five weeks.
The Trojans have looked strong on both sides of the ball, outscoring their first four opponents by 84 combined points.
SES is holding their opponents to just 15.8 points per game while scoring an average of 32.6 on offense.
A LOOK AT THE BRAVES
Council Grove has steadily built a winner over the last three years, posting a 20-7 record since the start of the 2024 season.
In that span, they’ve gone to the state semifinals, falling to Nemaha Central in a game to face SES in the state championship game, and made a trip to the round of 32.
The Braves are off to another hot start in 2026, as one of just seven remaining undefeated teams in Class 2A.
Luke Stewart leads the Council Grove attack, completing 73% of his passes for 1,130 yards, 16 touchdowns, and zero interceptions through five weeks.
A good deal of that has gone to senior wideout Mason Samuels, who leads the team with 470 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Southeast of Saline has been as close to untouchable as a team can be when playing in Gypsum, Kansas. Winning 41 of their last 42 games at home, with the lone loss coming in a state semifinal to Andale in 2021.
The Trojans have also won 19 consecutive home openers, and carry a 29-game winning streak into Friday’s contest with Council Grove.
THE LEFTY ASSASSIN
Tiernan Ptacek continues to improve his numbers through the first five weeks, completing 67-128 passes for 933 yards and ten touchdowns. Ptacek has also been a force on the ground, adding another 420 yards and seven more scores in the run game.
QUOTES FROM COACH PTACEK
On a huge comeback win over Wichita Collegiate…
“We talked to the boys about the opportunity last week, and we knew people were going to pay attention to how we responded after a loss against a really good 3A team in Wichita Collegiate. It wasn’t the start we were looking for but our kids battled and getting that win was big for us.”
On the effect of winning two close, come-from-behind games…
“Coming back to beat Beloit and Collegiate definitely gives our guys some confidence, but we’re really pushing to find more consistency. We have to find a way to be a more consistent team and avoid the big ups and downs with things like turnovers.”
On the growth of the defensive unit as a whole…
“We’re starting to play a little faster and figure some things out on the defensive side. Those guys have kept us in games and that’s really allowed us to come back and get a few wins.”
On an undefeated Council Grove team…
“Council Grove is a senior-heavy team and they’ve got long, athletic kids. They’re a well-coached team and this will be a tall task but our kids are excited for the opportunity and we’re expecting a good game.”
On slowing Luke Stewart and the Brave passing attack…
“They’ll throw the ball around with their lengthy athletes; they’ve got an athletic quarterback and every time he drops back he’s a threat to run so we’ll have to be sound in what we do and fly around to the football defensively.”