By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
To say that the Southeast of Saline Trojans have gotten off to a hot start in 2020 would be a severe understatement.
Since the second quarter of their season opener, SES has outscored opponents 76-0 en route to a 3-0 start to the season.
After steamrolling an undersized Ellsworth team last week, the Trojans will turn their attention to the Russell Broncos, who came up just short of their first win in double-overtime last week.
After trailing Norton 28-0 at halftime, Russell found an identity on both sides of the ball, tying the game at 28-28 as time expired in regulation.
The Broncos had two chances to win the game, but came up just short both times, falling to 0-3 on the season.
While the result was a hard fought loss, second year head coach Otis Hendryx liked the development he saw in his players.
“It gave them confidence knowing that they can play with anybody,” he said. “They don’t have to feel intimidated just because they’re smaller than another team.”
In addition to gaining the respect of their own coach, Russell’s performance caught the eye of Trojan head coach Mitch Gebhardt, who is not letting Russell’s 0-3 record make him comfortable.
“They played great against Norton,” he said. “I thought they really found themselves especially on offense in the second half of that game.”
When the Trojans and Broncos meet in Russell this week, it will be the first time that SES has played on the road all season.
This will be unlikely to phase an SES team that finally put all of the pieces together last week in a 42-0 trouncing of Ellsworth.
For Southeast to continue their dominance on defense, they will have to contain a Russell rushing attack that went for almost 400 yards last week.
That ground game is anchored by running back Tyler Moresco, who converted from left tackle, and has become a force to be reckoned with in the backfield.
“Every back presents it’s problems,” Gebhardt said. When you have a big back like they do you have to get a lot of bodies to the football.”
SES will also have to continue their dominance on offense against a Bronco defense that held 3-0 Norton to no points in the second half.
While the Trojans certainly hold the edge in this matchup, coach Hendryx isn’t letting that polarize him one bit.
“No disrespect but Southeast is just another team that’s on the schedule,” he said. “We treat every opponent like a nameless opponent and try to go out there and do what we do.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm in Russell. As always Eagle Radio is the home for SES football, and the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) and streamed live on Salina Post.