By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
For the first time in five years the Trojans and Bearcats will meet as Southeast of Saline looks for their third straight win of the season.
Despite remaining in the same league, Ellsworth and SES haven’t played since 2015 when the Trojans took a 30-6 victory.
Southeast has won each of the last five meetings with the most recent Ellsworth victory coming back in 2010.
Much has changed for the Bearcats since that 2015 meeting, including head coach Josh Homolka who is now in his fourth season at Ellsworth. For Homolka, this will be his first run-in with SES.
“They do a lot of stuff well,” he said. “They do a good job of spreading the ball around, they have a really good backfield, they’re just a really solid football team.”
While the Trojans have gotten off to a hot 2-0 start, Ellsworth has not been as fortunate, being unable to play in week one before suffering a 52-6 loss at the hands of Republic County last week.
“The time off definitely didn’t help us,” Homolka said. It’s hard to not have that experience especially when you’re young in certain areas.”
Those young players, especially on the offensive end, will have to grow up fast as they will face a SES defense that has allowed points in just one quarter so far this year.
“I feel like our defense is playing outstanding,” Trojan head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “I think we’re playing physically and if we continue to do that we’re gonna keep playing good defense this year.”
Southeast has looked more comfortable on the offensive side of the ball as well, although coach Gebhardt mentioned a heavy focus on improving the offense ahead of tonight’s game.
Both coaches agree that the battle in the trenches will be a big key to this week's matchup, with Southeast holding a slight edge in size and experience.
“We have a tough time with physicality right now,” coach Homolka said. “We’re not very big or very old but we have some good team speed and that allows us to match up with some guys.”
One notable change for Ellsworth this week will be at quarterback, where senior Dawson Kratzer will get the start over Trey Anderson, who will be transitioning to wide receiver.
“Dawson and Trey are both really good athletes,” he said. “I’m trying to get all of our best athletes on the field, and this is a way we can get both of them the ball.”
Kickoff between SES and Ellsworth is scheduled for 7pm at Steve Fritz Field. As always, Eagle Radio is the home for Southeast of Saline football and games can be heard on KINA (910 AM and 107.5 FM).