By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
For the second consecutive season, the Southeast of Saline Trojan football team will advance to the 3A state quarterfinals in style following a 52-6 decimation of the Chapman Fighting Irish.
Many saw this as the toughest task thus far for SES, but the Trojans wasted no time putting any doubts to rest as Michael Murray housed the opening kickoff, and the team never looked back.
“It’s a good win for our program,” Southeast head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “I thought we played well in all facets of the game and the kids are excited about this win, that’s really what it’s all about.”
Chapman entered this game boasting one of the best ground attacks in the state, averaging 364 rushing yards per game, 200 of which were earned on average by senior fullback Eli Riegel.
Tonight, Southeast held the Irish to just 157 yards of total offense, all of which came on the ground in a stunning defeat for Chapman.
Irish quarterback Nick Anderson attempted just one pass all night which was picked off by the Trojan secondary.
The SES defense didn’t allow a single point, as Chapman’s lone touchdown came on a kickoff return by Ian Suther.
For their part in all of this, the SES offense looked dominant once again, racking up big yardage on the ground and through the air.
Quarterback Luke Gebhardt completed 16-24 including four touchdown passes in the first half to put the Trojans up 38-6 heading into the locker room.
The dynamic duo of Michael Murray and Chase Poague combined for 146 yards and five total touchdowns in a rout of one of the more physical defenses that SES has played this season.
“Our offensive line played awfully well and our guys on the outside stepped up for us again,” Gebhardt said. “There are a lot of things we can do when we’re playing well and tonight was a testament to that.”
Chapman will end their season 7-3 while the Trojans advance to the quarter-finals to face Cheney on the road next week in a battle of 10-0 teams.