🏈 Trojans welcome in Minneapolis for week-eight elimination game

By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

On the heels of a close loss to Riley County, the Southeast of Saline Trojans now find themselves in a do-or-die Week 8 showdown with Minneapolis for the final playoff spot in district five.

The winner of this game will advance to the 2A state playoffs as a 4-seed while the loser plays their final game in the 2A consolation bracket next week.

Week Seven - SE of Saline (4-3) at Minneapolis (1-6)

Date/Time - Friday, October 23, 2026, 7:00 kickoff

Location - SE of Saline HS, Gypsum KS

The Series - The Trojans have dominated this series since the inaugural meeting back in 1976, with a 31-16 all-time record against the Lions. Southeast enters tonight on a nine-game winning streak over Minneapolis, having won 16 of the last 20 matchups in the series.

Season Results

SE of Saline (4-3)
- 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
- L 14-8 vs. Council Grove
- L 21-20 at Riley County

Minneapolis (1-6)
- L 14-8 at Ellsworth
- L 26-6 vs. Republic County
- L 54-6 at Beloit
- L 69-6 vs. Council Grove
- L 42-0 at Riley County
- W 22-16 vs. Norton
- L 35-6 vs. Marysville

District 5 Standings
1. Council Grove (3-0, 7-0, +32)
2. Marysville (3-1, 5-2, +51)
3. Riley County (2-1, 5-2, +1)
4. SE of Saline (0-3, 4-3, -21)
—--------------------------------
5. Minneapolis (0-3, 1-6, -63)

NCAA Standings
1. SE of Saline (3-0) - League Champs
T2. Beloit (2-1)
T2. Lyons (2-1)
T2. Sacred Heart (2-1)
5. Republic County (1-2)
6. Ellsworth (1-3)
7. Minneapolis (0-3)

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 - Click below

THE TROJANS AT A GLANCE

For the first time in over a decade the Trojans find themselves in a do or die elimination game in the regular season.

While a 4-seed is the best that SES can attain, the Trojans would relish a puncher’s chance in the postseason, especially after navigating one of, if not the toughest district in all of Class 2A.

Southeast’s three losses have come by just 21 combined points, to 7-0 Council Grove, 5-2 Riley County, and 5-2 Marysville.

Of the four combined losses those teams have experienced two came to Council Grove, and the other two came to 6-1 Chapman and the defending 2A champs in Nemaha Central.

The Trojan defense remains it’s strength, holding opponents to around 16 points per game, while racking up 62 TFL, 10 sacks, 6 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.

The offense has looked good in stretches, but has struggled to put points on the board against top-tier defenses, scoring an average of just 14 points in three losses.

Turnovers have also plagued the Trojans with six interceptions and as many lost fumbles on the year.

Despite all that, Tiernan Ptacek has looked sharp at quarterback, completing 53 percent of his passes for 1,233 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air while also adding 550 yards and 8 more scores on the ground.

A LOOK AT THE LIONS

This season has been a mighty struggle for Minneapolis, who hold a 1-6 record ahead of this pivotal week eight showdown.

The Lions have been outscored 256-54 through seven weeks with their lone win coming in 22-16 fashion over Norton in week six.

Minneapolis will have blocks to build upon moving forward, with one of the youngest teams in the state led by a sophomore quarterback in Breckon Weatherman, but despite the positives and flashes, the Trojans will still be heavy favorites in front of a home crowd in Gypsum tonight.

QUOTES FROM COACH PTACEK

On a tight loss in week seven…

“Our kids played hard and played well in that game, there are just certain situations where Riley County made plays and we didn’t. You add those moments up and that made the difference.”

On the difference between winning close and losing close this year…

“In the Beloit and Wichita Collegiate games, we just competed and found a way and those one-score games often come down to finishing plays, finishing drives, finishing blocks, finishing 2-point conversions. Our kids are frustrated with those close losses but they continue to work and grind and we’ll see what happens moving forward.”

On the strength of the SES defense…

“The kids do a great job of preparing for whoever we’re playing and make sure we’re in the right spots making the right reads. We’ve gradually began to play faster and more physical on defense and that group is doing a really great job.”

On the challenge of District 5…

“This district is arguably the best in the state in Class 2A and we know how good our competition has been. Obviously we’re frustrated with those close losses but if we can get into the playoffs we think we can make a lot of noise especially with how we’ve played against some of these really tough teams.”

On a must-win matchup with Minneapolis…

“To get into the playoffs, we have to take care of Minneapolis and they have some dangerous athletes on their squad. We’re definitely not overlooking Minneapolis by any means. They’ve got a young quarterback in the Weatherman kid and they have some talented young athletes that they can spread the ball around too. We know that they can be a physical football team but we’ve had good preparation for them and we’re expecting a good game this week.”