By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Every team gets challenged in the playoffs, but for Southeast of Saline, that first postseason test will have to wait as the Trojans breezed by their first-round opponent, defeating Southwestern Heights 74-0 to advance to the round of 16.
A 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter may have been a slower start than Southeast anticipated, but the Trojans rattled off 46 points in the second to put the game away with a 60-point lead at halftime.
With this win, SES improves to 9-0 for the sixth time in as many years, while Southwestern Heights concludes its campaign at 3-7.
Six different Trojans found the end zone in this beatdown, led by Grady Gebhardt, who rushed for 130 yards in another three-touchdown performance.
The defense also had a field day, with three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and a fumble recovery in the shutout.
Tiernan Ptacek completed five of his seven passes for two touchdowns, connecting with Gebhardt and Malachi Hopkins.
Amarion Holub and Christian Peterson each added a score on the ground while LaVone Hopkins found the end zone twice in the win.
Southeast will meet the winner of a Friday night contest between 6-2 Russell and 4-4 Cimmaron next week in the round of 16 next week.
You can watch our full broadcast of this game below.