By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Southeast of Saline Trojans gave the defending state champs a great battle, but their incredible season came to an end as they fell to the undefeated Andale Indians by a final score of 37-16.
“It’s been an outstanding year,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “We started in June trying to get better every week and we absolutely did that. Andale is an awfully good football team and we gave it a heck of a shot tonight.”
Andale dominated time of possession, and got a monstrous game from running back Cody Parthemer, who carried the ball 30 times for 240 yards and all five of the team’s touchdowns.
It was clear early into this game that Andale had no interest in allowing the Trojan offense to spend much time on the field.
The Indians scored on their first two drives of the game, bookending a Southeast three and out before SES got on the board with a touchdown run by Luke Gebhardt after a big PI on fourth down.
The slow, methodical rushing attack of Andale chipped away at the clock, and heading into halftime the two teams had combined for just five total drives, with the Indians ahead 14-8.
SES failed to score on their opening drive of the second half and Andale took the clock all the way down to the end of the third quarter before punching it in on the other side to take a 22-8 lead with 11:19 left to play.
After another big stop, Southeast had to punt it away and for the first time all night, the Indians broke off a big play, scoring on a run from 49-yards out to go up 30-8.
Luke Gebhardt was picked off on a tip drill on fourth down and after a good return, Andale scored again to go up 37-8.
SES countered with a good drive, capped off with a 28-yard pitch and catch from Gebhardt to Michael Murray but it proved to be too little too late as the Trojans fell in their first loss of the season 37-16.
Andale extends their winning streak to 37-straight and with a 38th next week against Frontenac, could threepeat as 3A state champs after dropping from 4A DI in 2018.
The Trojans wrap up another incredible campaign at 11-1, and will set their sights on reloading for a return to Class 2A next season.
“I think the future is bright here but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Gebhardt said. “It all starts over now but I want these guys to enjoy what we did this season as well. 11 wins is a pretty darned good football season and I’m so proud of what our guys accomplished.”
Southeast will be graduating a loaded class of seniors who throughout their time in the purple and white, posted a 35-7 record including an unheard-of 18-2 record at home.
Matthew Rodriguez, Chase Poague, Dalton Bunch, Dawson Adams, Braxton Blake, Evan Nickelson, Jasper McDowell, Eli Jackson, Clayton Meier and Jude Golden all had a major impact on one of the best runs in Southeast of Saline football history.
“It’s always tough and this group is a special group,” Gebhardt said. “A lot of these guys have started since they were sophomores and they’ve set the bar very high for the kids that will come after them.”
These seniors’ stories at SES are not over yet, as many will participate in the upcoming basketball, wrestling, track and baseball seasons.
For more on all of that and more around the world of Trojan athletics, stay tuned to the Salina Post.