By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

On Friday night, a 19-year wait came to an end for the Southeast of Saline faithful as the Trojans dethroned the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central 36-28 in an instant classic.

Southeast took a haymaker in this game that would have knocked out most other teams, but the Trojans picked themselves up off the mat and hit back, scoring two touchdowns in the final two minutes to complete a fourth-quarter comeback for the ages.

“These last two games have taken ten years off my life but that’s okay,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “This is the personality of these kids, they don’t give up, they keep working; we had some bad things happen to us and fumbled the ball twice after fumbling once all year but the kids kept clawing against a really good Nemaha Central team and we got the victory.”

Gannon Jacobson started the party for the Trojans early, leading SES down the field on their opening drive and scrambling 18 yards to give Southeast a 6-0 lead.

Nemaha Central wasted no time responding, as Carter Hajek did the same, capping off a long drive with a touchdown pass to Jack Macke.

After the two sides traded punts, the Trojans found their footing on offense once again, this time via Grady Gebhardt, who took a right-side toss to the end zone for his first TD of the game.

One stop later, the Southeast offense was back on the field, and Gebhardt was back in the end zone, this time on a 3-yard throwback from Gannon Jacobson.

The Thunder came close to answering before the break, but another stand for the SES defense ensured a 20-7 Trojan lead going into halftime.

Those wondering when the two-time defending state champs would bare their teeth didn’t have to wait long, as near the end of the third quarter, Hajek kicked off a massive swing for the Thunder with a touchdown run from three yards out.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Trojans fumbled the ball away deep in their own territory, and Hajek wasted no time punishing them for that mistake, scoring his third touchdown of the day and tying the game at 20 on a three-yard rush.

In desperate need of an answer, Southeast, who had lost just one fumble all season long, inexplicably coughed up their second fumble of the day, and Hajek again engineered a long drive, delivering Nemaha Central a 28-20 lead with under 2:00 to play.

That 21-point swing should have been a knockout blow to a Trojan team that suddenly found themselves on the ropes against a squad many around the state fully expected to finish off their three-peat.

“In the last two weeks, our kids never wavered," Gebhardt said. "That’s a remarkable trait of this team to be able to perform under that much pressure, and I'm so proud of them for finding a way to get it done.”

The desperation drive began at their own 40-yard line, where Grady Gebhardt took a screen through two tackles to flip fields on a 20-yard gain.

Completions to Evan Watkins and Kanyon Douglas on back-to-back plays put the Trojans in the red zone, and a carry by Jacobson got them ahead to the four-yard-line.

On second and goal, Jacobson rolled to his left, slipped a potential sack in the backfield, and scampered up the middle of the field, absorbing contact on his way into the end zone to give the Trojans six points and new life.

Needing a two-point conversion, SES reached into their bag of tricks, handing the ball off to Tucker Thaxton who delivered a pass to the back corner, hitting Malachi Hopkins for a crucial two-point conversion for the tie.

That two-play swing completely shifted the momentum of this game, and with the wind in their sails, Southeast kicked off, hoping to get one last stop to send the game to overtime.

What happened next was something lifted straight out of a Hollywood movie.

A short kick into the wind took an awkward bounce at the 30-yard line and began moving back toward the advancing Trojan coverage team.

Southeast’s Kaden Barragan somehow managed to beat every white jersey on the field to the football, recovering for Southeast of Saline deep in Thunder territory with just under 1:00 left to play.

Nemaha’s defense held to force fourth and eight and appeared to have Southeast stopped with Jacobson scrambling around in the backfield, but smelling blood in the water, the Trojan signal caller improvised and found Tucker Thaxton at the 20-yard line.

Thaxton had a defender draped around his legs as he made the catch but managed to wrench himself free and scamper up the sideline behind a Kaden Barragan block, taking the ball all the way to the promised land to deliver the unlikeliest of leads to the underdog Trojans.

For good measure, Jacobson found Evan Watkins for the two-point conversion to make the lead eight, and one last Southeast stop turned the long-awaited dream into a concrete reality.

For the first time since 2005, the Southeast of Saline Trojans were state champions.

“If you keep knocking sooner or later that door is going to open," Gebhardt said. "You have to have some things go your way to get to this point and we’ve had some teams come awfully close but it’s a great feeling to finally win a state championship.”

This is the first undefeated season in SES history, as the Trojans lived up to their expectation of going 1-0 each week 13 times.

Gannon Jacobson finished the day 8-16 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the ball 11 times for 75 yards and two more scores on the ground.

Grady Gebhardt capped off his fantastic season with another 100-yard performance, scoring two of Southeast’s touchdowns on the day.

Tucker Thaxton did the same, scoring two times on just three catches but showing up when it mattered most.

Jacobson and Gebhardt will anchor a proverbial who’s who of returners when the Trojans look to defend their crown in 2025, but Southeast will have to say goodbye to a senior class that led them to a remarkable record over the last four seasons.

That class includes Tucker Thaxton, Evan Watkins, Kendall Minneman, Landon Allbrecht, Trey Droge, Ian Nickelson, Deacon Baier, Alec Sawyers, and Cooper Westhoff.

“Those guys are 45-3 in four years of high school football and they’ve been our leaders since taking the torch from the classes that came before them," he said. "They’ve had their heart broken three times in the last three years and for them to be able to win a state championship and go out this way it’s a great feeling for them and it’s a great feeling for me as a coach.”

This win also marks the first state title for head coach Mitch Gebhardt, whose record at Southeast of Saline now sits at 116-39, including a 54-4 run over the last five seasons.

“My coaching staff is unbelievable," Gebhardt said. "They go to work every day and we don’t set a clock, we work until the work gets done. I’m so proud of those guys, they’ve done such a great job for us over the years. I’m also proud of our kids and the way they kept battling. We’ve had a lot of awfully good football teams that have come up short but everyone can be proud of these guys for getting it done.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939283742.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostOn Friday night, a 19-year wait came to an end for the Southeast of Saline faithful as the Trojans dethroned the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central 36-28 in an instant classic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast took a haymaker in this game that would have knocked out most other teams, but the Trojans picked themselves up off the mat and hit back, scoring two touchdowns in the final two minutes to complete a fourth-quarter comeback for the ages.“These last two games have taken ten years off my life but that’s okay,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “This is the personality of these kids, they don’t give up, they keep working; we had some bad things happen to us and fumbled the ball twice after fumbling once all year but the kids kept clawing against a really good Nemaha Central team and we got the victory.”Gannon Jacobson started the party for the Trojans early, leading SES down the field on their opening drive and scrambling 18 yards to give Southeast a 6-0 lead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939312989.jpeg" alt="Gannon Jacobson stiff arms a Nemaha Central defender on his way to an SES touchdown. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Gannon Jacobson stiff arms a Nemaha Central defender on his way to an SES touchdown. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>Nemaha Central wasted no time responding, as Carter Hajek did the same, capping off a long drive with a touchdown pass to Jack Macke.Game on.After the two sides traded punts, the Trojans found their footing on offense once again, this time via Grady Gebhardt, who took a right-side toss to the end zone for his first TD of the game.One stop later, the Southeast offense was back on the field, and Gebhardt was back in the end zone, this time on a 3-yard throwback from Gannon Jacobson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939400304.jpeg" alt="Grady Gebhardt outruns the Nemaha defense on his way to his second score of the day. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Grady Gebhardt outruns the Nemaha defense on his way to his second score of the day. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>The Thunder came close to answering before the break, but another stand for the SES defense ensured a 20-7 Trojan lead going into halftime.Those wondering when the two-time defending state champs would bare their teeth didn’t have to wait long, as near the end of the third quarter, Hajek kicked off a massive swing for the Thunder with a touchdown run from three yards out.On the ensuing kickoff, the Trojans fumbled the ball away deep in their own territory, and Hajek wasted no time punishing them for that mistake, scoring his third touchdown of the day and tying the game at 20 on a three-yard rush.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939470916.jpeg" alt="The SES defense takes down Carter Hajek to get a big stop. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>The SES defense takes down Carter Hajek to get a big stop. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>In desperate need of an answer, Southeast, who had lost just one fumble all season long, inexplicably coughed up their second fumble of the day, and Hajek again engineered a long drive, delivering Nemaha Central a 28-20 lead with under 2:00 to play.That 21-point swing should have been a knockout blow to a Trojan team that suddenly found themselves on the ropes against a squad many around the state fully expected to finish off their three-peat.Southeast of Saline had other plans.“In the last two weeks, our kids never wavered," Gebhardt said. "That’s a remarkable trait of this team to be able to perform under that much pressure, and I'm so proud of them for finding a way to get it done.”The desperation drive began at their own 40-yard line, where Grady Gebhardt took a screen through two tackles to flip fields on a 20-yard gain.Completions to Evan Watkins and Kanyon Douglas on back-to-back plays put the Trojans in the red zone, and a carry by Jacobson got them ahead to the four-yard-line.On second and goal, Jacobson rolled to his left, slipped a potential sack in the backfield, and scampered up the middle of the field, absorbing contact on his way into the end zone to give the Trojans six points and new life.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939540562.jpeg" alt="Jacobson eludes the Thunder defense. Photo by Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>Jacobson eludes the Thunder defense. Photo by Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>Needing a two-point conversion, SES reached into their bag of tricks, handing the ball off to Tucker Thaxton who delivered a pass to the back corner, hitting Malachi Hopkins for a crucial two-point conversion for the tie.That two-play swing completely shifted the momentum of this game, and with the wind in their sails, Southeast kicked off, hoping to get one last stop to send the game to overtime.What happened next was something lifted straight out of a Hollywood movie.A short kick into the wind took an awkward bounce at the 30-yard line and began moving back toward the advancing Trojan coverage team.Southeast’s Kaden Barragan somehow managed to beat every white jersey on the field to the football, recovering for Southeast of Saline deep in Thunder territory with just under 1:00 left to play.Nemaha’s defense held to force fourth and eight and appeared to have Southeast stopped with Jacobson scrambling around in the backfield, but smelling blood in the water, the Trojan signal caller improvised and found Tucker Thaxton at the 20-yard line.Thaxton had a defender draped around his legs as he made the catch but managed to wrench himself free and scamper up the sideline behind a Kaden Barragan block, taking the ball all the way to the promised land to deliver the unlikeliest of leads to the underdog Trojans.For good measure, Jacobson found Evan Watkins for the two-point conversion to make the lead eight, and one last Southeast stop turned the long-awaited dream into a concrete reality.For the first time since 2005, the Southeast of Saline Trojans were state champions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939190355.jpeg" alt="SES hoists their 2A state trophy high. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>SES hoists their 2A state trophy high. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>“If you keep knocking sooner or later that door is going to open," Gebhardt said. "You have to have some things go your way to get to this point and we’ve had some teams come awfully close but it’s a great feeling to finally win a state championship.”This is the first undefeated season in SES history, as the Trojans lived up to their expectation of going 1-0 each week 13 times.Gannon Jacobson finished the day 8-16 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the ball 11 times for 75 yards and two more scores on the ground.Grady Gebhardt capped off his fantastic season with another 100-yard performance, scoring two of Southeast’s touchdowns on the day.Tucker Thaxton did the same, scoring two times on just three catches but showing up when it mattered most.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732940816347.jpeg" alt="SES celebrates their state title win. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>SES celebrates their state title win. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>Jacobson and Gebhardt will anchor a proverbial who’s who of returners when the Trojans look to defend their crown in 2025, but Southeast will have to say goodbye to a senior class that led them to a remarkable record over the last four seasons.That class includes Tucker Thaxton, Evan Watkins, Kendall Minneman, Landon Allbrecht, Trey Droge, Ian Nickelson, Deacon Baier, Alec Sawyers, and Cooper Westhoff.“Those guys are 45-3 in four years of high school football and they’ve been our leaders since taking the torch from the classes that came before them," he said. "They’ve had their heart broken three times in the last three years and for them to be able to win a state championship and go out this way it’s a great feeling for them and it’s a great feeling for me as a coach.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732940868547.jpeg" alt="Coach Gebhardt breaks down the huddle with his team following the win. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Coach Gebhardt breaks down the huddle with his team following the win. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>This win also marks the first state title for head coach Mitch Gebhardt, whose record at Southeast of Saline now sits at 116-39, including a 54-4 run over the last five seasons.“My coaching staff is unbelievable," Gebhardt said. "They go to work every day and we don’t set a clock, we work until the work gets done. I’m so proud of those guys, they’ve done such a great job for us over the years. I’m also proud of our kids and the way they kept battling. We’ve had a lot of awfully good football teams that have come up short but everyone can be proud of these guys for getting it done.”<div><div>
 <div style="position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;">

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/trXjgmWexQY?si=7v_3rn5yOnVxY4W1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe>
 </div>
</div></div>

Purple Reign: SES claims their second state title with comeback win over Nemaha Central

On Friday night, the Southeast of Saline Trojans knocked off the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central to claim their second state title in program history.

Below you can find photos from the game taken by Tanner Colvin, and presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine.

The full broadcast with video and commentary can be found by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.

By SALINA POSTOn Friday night, the Southeast of Saline Trojans knocked off the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central to claim their second state title in program history.Below you can find photos from the game taken by Tanner Colvin, and presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine.The full broadcast with video and commentary can be found by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732980844987.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732980859369.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732980911602.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939312989.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732980970535.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939400304.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981116406.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939540562.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981172083.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981199350.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981246755.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981261272.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981277032.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981306765.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981327122.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732940816347.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732939190355.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981392415.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732981433937.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

PHOTOS: Southeast of Saline vs. Nemaha Central 2A State Championship

The Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0) and Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1) will battle it out in Hutch tonight for the title of 2A State Champs.

Below you can find live updates all game long to keep up with what's happening in Hutchinson. Also tune in to hear our radio broadcast on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com.

THE FULL BROADCAST OF THIS GAME IS NOW AVAILABLE, YOU CAN FIND IT BY CLICKING <a href="https://youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>

Nemaha Central wins the coin toss and defers to the second half, SES will take the opening kick and begin the game on offense

Gannon Jacobson rushes up the right side from the 18-yard line for a Southeast of Saline rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion attempt NO GOOD

Carter Hajek finds Jack Macke for an 18-yard passing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point GOOD

Grady Gebhardt takes a third-down toss one yard to the end zone for a SES rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion NO GOOD

Gannon Jacobson connects with Grady Gebhardt on a three-yard throwback that Gebhardt takes into the end zone for his second score of the day. It's an SES passing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion GOOD

Southeast of Saline holds off a late Nemaha Central advance and forces one last stop to take a 20-7 lead into the halftime break&nbsp;

Southeast forces fourth and five, Nemaha tries a fake punt but SES comes up with a huge stop to force a TURNOVER ON DOWNS

SES gets back in the red zone but Nemaha stands tall to force their own TURNOVER ON DOWNS

Carter Hajek rushes right for a three-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point NO GOOD off the right upright.

Bryson Lippold FUMBLE on the ensuing kickoff gives the ball back to Nemaha Central in Trojan territory

Carter Hajek capitalizes on the SES turnover as he connects with Caleb Strathman on a crossing route for a passing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point is GOOD

Gannon Jacobson FUMBLE on the second play of the ensuing drive, Nemaha takes over near midfield

Nemaha Central kills most of the fourth-quarter clock on a long drive capped off by a Carter Hajek 5-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion attempt by Hakek is GOOD

Southeast of Saline responds with a magical four-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN by Gannon Jacobson to bring the score within two. SES CONVERTS the 2-point conversion on a trick play pass from Tucker Thaxton to Malachi Hopkins

Nemaha Central allows a TURNOVER on the ensuing kickoff, SES covers it up deep in Thunder territory.

TOUCHDOWN SOUTHEAST OF SALINE. Gannon Jacobson hits Tucker Thaxton for a 29 yard passing TOUCHDOWN to give the Trojans the lead inside the final minute. 2-point conversion is GOOD.

Southeast's defense gets one last stop as time expires

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732924617887.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0) and Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1) will battle it out in Hutch tonight for the title of 2A State Champs.Below you can find live updates all game long to keep up with what's happening in Hutchinson. Also tune in to hear our radio broadcast on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com.THE FULL BROADCAST OF THIS GAME IS NOW AVAILABLE, YOU CAN FIND IT BY CLICKING <a href="https://youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>FIRST QUARTERNemaha Central wins the coin toss and defers to the second half, SES will take the opening kick and begin the game on offenseGannon Jacobson rushes up the right side from the 18-yard line for a Southeast of Saline rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion attempt NO GOODSE OF SALINE LEADS 6-0Carter Hajek finds Jack Macke for an 18-yard passing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point GOODNEMAHA CENTRAL LEADS 7-6END OF QUARTER 1<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732926719045.png" alt="End of the first quarter" />
 <figcaption>End of the first quarter</figcaption>
 </figure>SECOND QUARTERGrady Gebhardt takes a third-down toss one yard to the end zone for a SES rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion NO GOODSES LEADS 12-7Gannon Jacobson connects with Grady Gebhardt on a three-yard throwback that Gebhardt takes into the end zone for his second score of the day. It's an SES passing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion GOODSES LEADS 20-7Southeast of Saline holds off a late Nemaha Central advance and forces one last stop to take a 20-7 lead into the halftime break&nbsp;END OF QUARTER 2<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732928461618.png" alt="Halftime" />
 <figcaption>Halftime</figcaption>
 </figure>THIRD QUARTERSoutheast forces fourth and five, Nemaha tries a fake punt but SES comes up with a huge stop to force a TURNOVER ON DOWNSSES gets back in the red zone but Nemaha stands tall to force their own TURNOVER ON DOWNSCarter Hajek rushes right for a three-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point NO GOOD off the right upright.SES LEADS 20-13Bryson Lippold FUMBLE on the ensuing kickoff gives the ball back to Nemaha Central in Trojan territoryEND OF QUARTER 3<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732930819723.png" alt="End of third quarter" />
 <figcaption>End of third quarter</figcaption>
 </figure>Carter Hajek capitalizes on the SES turnover as he connects with Caleb Strathman on a crossing route for a passing TOUCHDOWN. Extra point is GOODTIE GAME 20-20Gannon Jacobson FUMBLE on the second play of the ensuing drive, Nemaha takes over near midfieldNemaha Central kills most of the fourth-quarter clock on a long drive capped off by a Carter Hajek 5-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN. 2-point conversion attempt by Hakek is GOODNEMAHA CENTRAL LEADS 28-20Southeast of Saline responds with a magical four-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN by Gannon Jacobson to bring the score within two. SES CONVERTS the 2-point conversion on a trick play pass from Tucker Thaxton to Malachi HopkinsTIE GAME 28-28Nemaha Central allows a TURNOVER on the ensuing kickoff, SES covers it up deep in Thunder territory.TOUCHDOWN SOUTHEAST OF SALINE. Gannon Jacobson hits Tucker Thaxton for a 29 yard passing TOUCHDOWN to give the Trojans the lead inside the final minute. 2-point conversion is GOOD.Southeast's defense gets one last stop as time expiresEND OF REGULATION<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732933929428.png" alt="FINAL" />
 <figcaption>FINAL</figcaption>
 </figure>

SES vs. Nemaha Central 2A state championship LIVE COVERAGE

In 2005, Southeast of Saline appeared in and won its first state football championship in school history, defeating Silver Lake 30-28.

The road back to that promised land has been anything but straight and simple, but on Friday night, the Trojans have earned an opportunity to play for a second state title in Hutch against the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central.

In the 19 years since their last championship appearance, Southeast of Saline underwent a coaching change, joined a league, and fought through several re-classifications, but one thing has remained the same: the tradition of excellence in Gypsum.

Under 15th-year head coach Mitch Gebhardt, the Trojans have posted 12 winning seasons and made several deep playoff runs, but even amidst all that success, the last five years have been a sight to behold.

Since kicking off the 2020 season, Southeast has an overall record of 53-4, with each of those losses capping off a deep playoff run in a state quarter or semifinal.

Those campaigns served as building blocks as the Trojans grew their program from a feel good success story, into an emerging dynasty, and now, just one box remains unchecked.

“We’ve had so many good teams over the years, and all of those guys helped us build towards getting to this game,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “It’s a great feeling to play in this game, and our kids are awfully proud and excited to do it.”

In addition to great teams on the field, Gebhardt has built a small but mighty coaching staff, with Chance Ptacek, Trenton Douglas, Todd Baird and Kent Jacobson helping to elevate the program to new heights.

“The guys I get to coach with are outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “They don’t worry about how long it takes; they just worry about getting the job done, and that’s a big deal when you’re coaching football. Some weeks take longer than others, but those guys do everything they have to put our kids in a position to be successful.”

The Trojans picked up right where they left off in 2024, rolling eight opponents to finish a fifth straight undefeated regular season.&nbsp;

From there, they handed a loss to Larned 76-12, knocked off Norton 34-7, held off Hoisington 30-8, and last week, beat Beloit 34-30 on a thrilling buzzer-beating touchdown.

“I’m really proud of how we handled the situations we faced in that Beloit game,” he said. “Our kids did a great job of not panicking and I think our defense set us up for that finish. We stuck to the game plan, made tackles when we needed to and gave our offense an opportunity to score with 42 seconds left. That was a proud coach moment.”

With 12 wins behind them, just one opponent remains, but the Trojans will have their work cut out for them against a Nemaha Central team that has served as Class 2A’s final boss for three years running.

“Nemaha Central has been outstanding over the years, and their coaching staff does a great job with their guys,” Gebhardt said. “It’s neat that we get to go up against the two-time defending state champs to see how we stack up against them.”

The Thunder have strung together a run rivaling that of SES, winning three state championships since merging Nemaha Valley and Baileyville B&amp;B in 2014.

In addition to two state titles, Nemaha Central boasts a record of 37-1 over the last three years and will be considered favorites by many to three-peat, an outside attitude that suits Southeast just fine.

“If you look at the big picture, they’re the two-time defending state champions, and I think a lot of people will view us as underdogs in this game,” he said. “That’s something that we’ll embrace and talk about, but they’re the champs until they’re not, and we have to take that mentality into this game.”

That lone loss for the Thunder came in a 16-8 headscratcher to Marysville in week one, but since then, Nemaha has been perfect, winning their last seven in the regular season and rolling through Fredonia, Sabetha, Osage City and Council Grove in these playoffs.

Much of Nemaha Central’s success has come on the back of quarterback Carter Hajek, who has completed 60% of his passes for 1,026 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Hajek truly shines on the ground, where he leads the Thunder with 330 carries for 2,148 yards and 38 touchdowns, with just one fumble all season long.

“Their quarterback run game is what that offense revolves around,” Gebhardts said. “You can’t stop that, but you can try to slow it down a little. He gets a lot of the credit but they do a great job with their scheme and blocking for him to make that happen. We’ll have to get a lot of hats to the football and play together on defense on Friday.”

Hajak has certainly garnered a lot of media attention in the buildup to this game and should rightfully be considered the best pure athlete on the field. But with a three-headed monster on offense and a swarming defense that allows just 11 points per game, Southeast will be ready to challenge the kings on Friday night.

Despite being a first-year starter, Gannon Jacobson has already etched his name into the record books at Southeast of Saline, completing 58% of his passes for over 2,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and ten interceptions while also rushing for just shy of 1,000 yards and eight more touchdowns on the ground.

“Gannon works hard, and he’s a good athlete,” he said. “We knew he’d be good, but he’s continued to improve throughout the year. When you struggle with something you get better, and he struggled early on but he’s worked hard at it and things have slowed down for him. He sees things now that he didn’t before.”

While Jacobson rules the air, Grady Gebhardt, the youngest son of head coach Mitch Gebhardt, has owned the ground, toting the rock 176 times for 1,340 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 20 receptions for 303 yards and two more scores in the passing game.

“Getting an opportunity to coach my kids and the kids in their classes has been outstanding,” he said. “All of them bring something a little different to the table, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

Teams that have managed to slow down Jacobson and Gebhardt have seldom had an answer for Tucker Thaxton on the edge, as the senior has torched opposing secondaries for 935 yards and 14 touchdowns as Jacobson’s favorite target.

“Tucker has great speed but his route running is outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “He’s worked his tail off to get to where he’s at. Defensively, he’s hard-nosed; he’ll come up and make a hard tackle when he needs to but he knows when to hunt that football too.”

All of this is to say nothing of the Trojan defense led by Brody Chambers (66 tackles, 20 TFL, 6 sacks), Kanyon Douglas (98 tackles, 3 INT), Bryson Lippold (66 tackles), and a slew others, who have allowed 21 or more points just one time all season.

While the Trojans have not played in a football state title game since 2005, this group of players is no stranger to pressure, having played through multiple deep playoff runs in almost every sport in Gypsum.

“These kids have played in so many big games between football, basketball, baseball and track,” he said. “I think they’ll handle this moment well. Winning a game like we did last week helps confidence and helps the way you look at things as well.”

A win over Nemaha Central will take nothing less than the Trojan’s best game of football on Friday, but Southeast is ready to leave it all on the field as they look to cap off the first undefeated season in program history with a 2A title.

“We have to make sure that we take care of the football and get first downs on offense,” Gebhardt said. “In games like this every play matters and when we have an opportunity to make a play we have to make a play. Defensively we have to play as a team and get to the football together. In big teams like this a special teams play can also make a big difference.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 on Friday at HCC-Gowans Stadium in Hutch.

As always, the game can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.

Due to KSHSAA regulations, the game will not be streamed live on Salina Post but will be available to watch on-demand immediately following the game by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732804801808.jpeg" alt="Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostIn 2005, Southeast of Saline appeared in and won its first state football championship in school history, defeating Silver Lake 30-28.The road back to that promised land has been anything but straight and simple, but on Friday night, the Trojans have earned an opportunity to play for a second state title in Hutch against the two-time defending state champs in Nemaha Central.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>In the 19 years since their last championship appearance, Southeast of Saline underwent a coaching change, joined a league, and fought through several re-classifications, but one thing has remained the same: the tradition of excellence in Gypsum.Under 15th-year head coach Mitch Gebhardt, the Trojans have posted 12 winning seasons and made several deep playoff runs, but even amidst all that success, the last five years have been a sight to behold.Since kicking off the 2020 season, Southeast has an overall record of 53-4, with each of those losses capping off a deep playoff run in a state quarter or semifinal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732804861661.jpeg" alt="Grady Gebhardt outruns the Beloit defense in week two. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Grady Gebhardt outruns the Beloit defense in week two. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>Those campaigns served as building blocks as the Trojans grew their program from a feel good success story, into an emerging dynasty, and now, just one box remains unchecked.“We’ve had so many good teams over the years, and all of those guys helped us build towards getting to this game,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “It’s a great feeling to play in this game, and our kids are awfully proud and excited to do it.”In addition to great teams on the field, Gebhardt has built a small but mighty coaching staff, with Chance Ptacek, Trenton Douglas, Todd Baird and Kent Jacobson helping to elevate the program to new heights.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732804898908.jpeg" alt="The SES coaching staff reacts to a walk-off touchdown against Beloit in the state semifinals. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>The SES coaching staff reacts to a walk-off touchdown against Beloit in the state semifinals. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>“The guys I get to coach with are outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “They don’t worry about how long it takes; they just worry about getting the job done, and that’s a big deal when you’re coaching football. Some weeks take longer than others, but those guys do everything they have to put our kids in a position to be successful.”The Trojans picked up right where they left off in 2024, rolling eight opponents to finish a fifth straight undefeated regular season.&nbsp;From there, they handed a loss to Larned 76-12, knocked off Norton 34-7, held off Hoisington 30-8, and last week, beat Beloit 34-30 on a thrilling buzzer-beating touchdown.“I’m really proud of how we handled the situations we faced in that Beloit game,” he said. “Our kids did a great job of not panicking and I think our defense set us up for that finish. We stuck to the game plan, made tackles when we needed to and gave our offense an opportunity to score with 42 seconds left. That was a proud coach moment.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732804951390.jpeg" alt="Kanyon Douglas holds up the football after catching the game-winning touchdown against Beloit. Photo by Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>Kanyon Douglas holds up the football after catching the game-winning touchdown against Beloit. Photo by Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>With 12 wins behind them, just one opponent remains, but the Trojans will have their work cut out for them against a Nemaha Central team that has served as Class 2A’s final boss for three years running.“Nemaha Central has been outstanding over the years, and their coaching staff does a great job with their guys,” Gebhardt said. “It’s neat that we get to go up against the two-time defending state champs to see how we stack up against them.”The Thunder have strung together a run rivaling that of SES, winning three state championships since merging Nemaha Valley and Baileyville B&amp;B in 2014.In addition to two state titles, Nemaha Central boasts a record of 37-1 over the last three years and will be considered favorites by many to three-peat, an outside attitude that suits Southeast just fine.“If you look at the big picture, they’re the two-time defending state champions, and I think a lot of people will view us as underdogs in this game,” he said. “That’s something that we’ll embrace and talk about, but they’re the champs until they’re not, and we have to take that mentality into this game.”That lone loss for the Thunder came in a 16-8 headscratcher to Marysville in week one, but since then, Nemaha has been perfect, winning their last seven in the regular season and rolling through Fredonia, Sabetha, Osage City and Council Grove in these playoffs.Much of Nemaha Central’s success has come on the back of quarterback Carter Hajek, who has completed 60% of his passes for 1,026 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.Hajek truly shines on the ground, where he leads the Thunder with 330 carries for 2,148 yards and 38 touchdowns, with just one fumble all season long.“Their quarterback run game is what that offense revolves around,” Gebhardts said. “You can’t stop that, but you can try to slow it down a little. He gets a lot of the credit but they do a great job with their scheme and blocking for him to make that happen. We’ll have to get a lot of hats to the football and play together on defense on Friday.”Hajak has certainly garnered a lot of media attention in the buildup to this game and should rightfully be considered the best pure athlete on the field. But with a three-headed monster on offense and a swarming defense that allows just 11 points per game, Southeast will be ready to challenge the kings on Friday night.Despite being a first-year starter, Gannon Jacobson has already etched his name into the record books at Southeast of Saline, completing 58% of his passes for over 2,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and ten interceptions while also rushing for just shy of 1,000 yards and eight more touchdowns on the ground.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732805003081.jpeg" alt="Gannon Jacobson winds up a pass against the Beloit Trojans. Photo courtesy of Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>Gannon Jacobson winds up a pass against the Beloit Trojans. Photo courtesy of Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Gannon works hard, and he’s a good athlete,” he said. “We knew he’d be good, but he’s continued to improve throughout the year. When you struggle with something you get better, and he struggled early on but he’s worked hard at it and things have slowed down for him. He sees things now that he didn’t before.”While Jacobson rules the air, Grady Gebhardt, the youngest son of head coach Mitch Gebhardt, has owned the ground, toting the rock 176 times for 1,340 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 20 receptions for 303 yards and two more scores in the passing game.“Getting an opportunity to coach my kids and the kids in their classes has been outstanding,” he said. “All of them bring something a little different to the table, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”Teams that have managed to slow down Jacobson and Gebhardt have seldom had an answer for Tucker Thaxton on the edge, as the senior has torched opposing secondaries for 935 yards and 14 touchdowns as Jacobson’s favorite target.“Tucker has great speed but his route running is outstanding,” Gebhardt said. “He’s worked his tail off to get to where he’s at. Defensively, he’s hard-nosed; he’ll come up and make a hard tackle when he needs to but he knows when to hunt that football too.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732805044488.jpeg" alt="Tucker Thaxton extends to make a one-handed catch. Photo by Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>Tucker Thaxton extends to make a one-handed catch. Photo by Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>All of this is to say nothing of the Trojan defense led by Brody Chambers (66 tackles, 20 TFL, 6 sacks), Kanyon Douglas (98 tackles, 3 INT), Bryson Lippold (66 tackles), and a slew others, who have allowed 21 or more points just one time all season.While the Trojans have not played in a football state title game since 2005, this group of players is no stranger to pressure, having played through multiple deep playoff runs in almost every sport in Gypsum.“These kids have played in so many big games between football, basketball, baseball and track,” he said. “I think they’ll handle this moment well. Winning a game like we did last week helps confidence and helps the way you look at things as well.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732805077472.jpeg" alt="SES breaks down the huddle after defeating Beloit in the state semifinal. Photo by Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>SES breaks down the huddle after defeating Beloit in the state semifinal. Photo by Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>A win over Nemaha Central will take nothing less than the Trojan’s best game of football on Friday, but Southeast is ready to leave it all on the field as they look to cap off the first undefeated season in program history with a 2A title.“We have to make sure that we take care of the football and get first downs on offense,” Gebhardt said. “In games like this every play matters and when we have an opportunity to make a play we have to make a play. Defensively we have to play as a team and get to the football together. In big teams like this a special teams play can also make a big difference.”Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 on Friday at HCC-Gowans Stadium in Hutch.As always, the game can be heard locally on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.Due to KSHSAA regulations, the game will not be streamed live on Salina Post but will be available to watch on-demand immediately following the game by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.

Trojans travel to Hutch for state showdown with defending champion Nemaha Central

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

After a long, 19-year wait, the Southeast of Saline Trojans are headed back to the state title game to battle the two-time defending state champion Nemaha Central Thunder on Friday.

As always, this game can be heard live on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com, with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.

Due to KSHSAA regulations, the game will not be streamed live on Salina Post, but will be available to watch on-demand immediately following the game by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.

Clicking the link before the broadcast is available will lead to an error page informing you that "the video is private."

A snapshot preview of this game can be found below, stay tuned on Friday for the full written state championship preview on Salina Post.

Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0) vs. Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1) Location: Hutch Community College Gowans Stadium Address:&nbsp;600 Block of E. 11th Avenue, Hutchinson KS, 67501 Gates Open: 4:00 Kickoff: 6:00

Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0)

Schedule - vs. Minneapolis (W 64-14) - at Clay Center (W 22-20) - vs. Beloit (W 32-6) - at Kingman (W 40-6) - vs. Lyons (W 66-0) - at Hillsboro (W 36-8) - vs. Halstead (W 38-15) - at Ellsworth (W 44-8) Playoffs - vs. Larned (W 76-12) - vs. Norton (W 34-7) - vs. Hoisington (W 30-8) - vs. Beloit (W 34-30)

Stat Leaders - Passing: Gannon Jacobson (140-243, 2,032 yds, 31 TD, 10 INT) - Rushing: Grady Gebhardt (176 carries, 1,340 yds, 14 TD) - Receiving: Tucker Thaxton (71 receptions, 935 yds, 14 TD) - Tackles: Kanyon Douglas (98 tackles, 16 TFL) - Sacks: Brody Chambers (6 sacks, 20 TFL) - Interceptions: Tucker Thaxton &amp; Kanyon Douglas (3 INTs)

Schedule&nbsp; - vs. Marysville (L 16-8) - at Silver Lake (W 35-7) - vs. Rossville (W 31-28) - at Chanute (W 13-7) - vs. Oskaloosa (W 48-6) - at Sabetha (W 24-0) - vs. Royal Valley (W 40-16) - at Atchinson County (W 46-0)

Playoffs - vs. Fredonia (W 55-13) - vs. Sabetha (W 55-13) - at Osage City (W 21-0) - vs. Council Grove (W 33-27)

Stat Leaders - Passing: Carter Hajek (82-133, 1,026 yds, 11 TD, 3 INT) - Rushing: Carter Hajek (330 carries, 2,148 yds, 38 TD) - Receiving: Caleb Strathman (35 receptions, 447 yds, 4 TD) - Tackles: Abram Keim (155 tackles, 9 TFL) - Sacks: Carter Hajek (1 sack, 2 TFL) - Interceptions: Caleb Strathman (4 INT)

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostAfter a long, 19-year wait, the Southeast of Saline Trojans are headed back to the state title game to battle the two-time defending state champion Nemaha Central Thunder on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>As always, this game can be heard live on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM) or online at 910KINA.com, with Devin Hanney and Russ Cossel on the call.Due to KSHSAA regulations, the game will not be streamed live on Salina Post, but will be available to watch on-demand immediately following the game by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/trXjgmWexQY">HERE</a>.Clicking the link before the broadcast is available will lead to an error page informing you that "the video is private."A snapshot preview of this game can be found below, stay tuned on Friday for the full written state championship preview on Salina Post.2A State Championship Info&nbsp;Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0) vs. Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1) Location: Hutch Community College Gowans Stadium Address:&nbsp;600 Block of E. 11th Avenue, Hutchinson KS, 67501 Gates Open: 4:00 Kickoff: 6:00Southeast of Saline Trojans (12-0)Schedule - vs. Minneapolis (W 64-14) - at Clay Center (W 22-20) - vs. Beloit (W 32-6) - at Kingman (W 40-6) - vs. Lyons (W 66-0) - at Hillsboro (W 36-8) - vs. Halstead (W 38-15) - at Ellsworth (W 44-8) Playoffs - vs. Larned (W 76-12) - vs. Norton (W 34-7) - vs. Hoisington (W 30-8) - vs. Beloit (W 34-30)Stat Leaders - Passing: Gannon Jacobson (140-243, 2,032 yds, 31 TD, 10 INT) - Rushing: Grady Gebhardt (176 carries, 1,340 yds, 14 TD) - Receiving: Tucker Thaxton (71 receptions, 935 yds, 14 TD) - Tackles: Kanyon Douglas (98 tackles, 16 TFL) - Sacks: Brody Chambers (6 sacks, 20 TFL) - Interceptions: Tucker Thaxton &amp; Kanyon Douglas (3 INTs)Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1)Schedule&nbsp; - vs. Marysville (L 16-8) - at Silver Lake (W 35-7) - vs. Rossville (W 31-28) - at Chanute (W 13-7) - vs. Oskaloosa (W 48-6) - at Sabetha (W 24-0) - vs. Royal Valley (W 40-16) - at Atchinson County (W 46-0)Playoffs - vs. Fredonia (W 55-13) - vs. Sabetha (W 55-13) - at Osage City (W 21-0) - vs. Council Grove (W 33-27)Stat Leaders - Passing: Carter Hajek (82-133, 1,026 yds, 11 TD, 3 INT) - Rushing: Carter Hajek (330 carries, 2,148 yds, 38 TD) - Receiving: Caleb Strathman (35 receptions, 447 yds, 4 TD) - Tackles: Abram Keim (155 tackles, 9 TFL) - Sacks: Carter Hajek (1 sack, 2 TFL) - Interceptions: Caleb Strathman (4 INT)

2A State Championship game between SES & Nemaha Central to be broadcast on KINA

Christy (Ade) Smith, 49, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family after a brief but courageous battle with illness.

Born in Salina on October 3, 1975, Christy was the cherished eldest child of Brenda (Swisher Ade) Peterson and Eldon Ade. She grew up as a proud Southeast of Saline Trojan, graduating in 1994, before pursuing her dreams at Kansas State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Christy was a true Wildcat at heart, proudly donning purple six days a week, reserving Sundays for cheering on her Kansas City Chiefs in red and gold.

Above all, Christy’s greatest joy and accomplishment in life were her children. In February 2005, Christy and then-husband, Todd Lauer, welcomed Emily Christine into their lives. In June 2012, Jaxson Dean joined the family, born to Christy and Larry Smith. When Christy and Larry united in marriage on July 3, 2018, their family became complete with the addition of stepson, Gage.

Christy’s professional journey was as vibrant and dynamic as her personality. After college, she began her career at GTM Sportswear, managing Kansas State apparel. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found “Simply Baby,” a children’s boutique in Salina, alongside her mother and best friend, Brenda. For 15 years, the boutique was a hub of creativity and connection. After closing the store, Christy found unexpected fulfillment in providing childcare from her home, nurturing countless children, including her cherished nieces, Landyn &amp; Camryn. Her daycare families will forever hold a special place in their hearts for the love and care Christy gave so generously.

Christy’s warmth and humor were unmatched. Her love for her family and friends was fierce and unwavering, often expressed through playful banter and a healthy dose of competitive spirit—especially when it came to poking fun at her rival sports teams. Christy cherished her role as an aunt, building special bonds with all her nieces and nephews. She was their biggest cheerleader and a constant source of joy and encouragement in their lives. Her laughter, loyalty, and zest for life will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Christy leaves behind her devoted husband, Larry Smith; children Emily Lauer and Jaxson Smith; stepson Gage Smith; her parents Eldon and Hallie Ade and John and Brenda Peterson; siblings Clint (Jill) Ade, Clay (Brandi) Ade, and Cara (Heath) Griggs; stepsiblings Angela (Mark) McGraw, Annette (Kevin) Mannel, Arlee (Maggie) Butterfield, Jason (Jeannie) Peterson, Michelle (Kalvin) Simmons, and Christopher (Leslie) Peterson; mother-in-law Earlene Smith; her beloved dog Annie; and countless extended family members and friends.

She is reunited in heaven with her infant sister, Holly Ann Ade; maternal grandparents, Dean and Nancy Swisher; paternal grandparents, Nathan and Idelle Ade; step-grandparents, Robert and Jean Myer, and Neil and Joyce Peterson; aunt Rose Ann Swisher Taylor; uncle Brad Swisher; cousin Jonathan Taylor; and father-in-law Larry Smith Sr.

A celebration of Christy’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Gypsum Valley Cemetery in Gypsum, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christy Smith Education Fund, for her children, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732572929554.png" alt="Screenshot (929).png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot (929).png</figcaption>
 </figure>Christy (Ade) Smith, 49, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family after a brief but courageous battle with illness.Born in Salina on October 3, 1975, Christy was the cherished eldest child of Brenda (Swisher Ade) Peterson and Eldon Ade. She grew up as a proud Southeast of Saline Trojan, graduating in 1994, before pursuing her dreams at Kansas State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Christy was a true Wildcat at heart, proudly donning purple six days a week, reserving Sundays for cheering on her Kansas City Chiefs in red and gold.Above all, Christy’s greatest joy and accomplishment in life were her children. In February 2005, Christy and then-husband, Todd Lauer, welcomed Emily Christine into their lives. In June 2012, Jaxson Dean joined the family, born to Christy and Larry Smith. When Christy and Larry united in marriage on July 3, 2018, their family became complete with the addition of stepson, Gage.Christy’s professional journey was as vibrant and dynamic as her personality. After college, she began her career at GTM Sportswear, managing Kansas State apparel. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found “Simply Baby,” a children’s boutique in Salina, alongside her mother and best friend, Brenda. For 15 years, the boutique was a hub of creativity and connection. After closing the store, Christy found unexpected fulfillment in providing childcare from her home, nurturing countless children, including her cherished nieces, Landyn &amp; Camryn. Her daycare families will forever hold a special place in their hearts for the love and care Christy gave so generously.Christy’s warmth and humor were unmatched. Her love for her family and friends was fierce and unwavering, often expressed through playful banter and a healthy dose of competitive spirit—especially when it came to poking fun at her rival sports teams. Christy cherished her role as an aunt, building special bonds with all her nieces and nephews. She was their biggest cheerleader and a constant source of joy and encouragement in their lives. Her laughter, loyalty, and zest for life will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.Christy leaves behind her devoted husband, Larry Smith; children Emily Lauer and Jaxson Smith; stepson Gage Smith; her parents Eldon and Hallie Ade and John and Brenda Peterson; siblings Clint (Jill) Ade, Clay (Brandi) Ade, and Cara (Heath) Griggs; stepsiblings Angela (Mark) McGraw, Annette (Kevin) Mannel, Arlee (Maggie) Butterfield, Jason (Jeannie) Peterson, Michelle (Kalvin) Simmons, and Christopher (Leslie) Peterson; mother-in-law Earlene Smith; her beloved dog Annie; and countless extended family members and friends.She is reunited in heaven with her infant sister, Holly Ann Ade; maternal grandparents, Dean and Nancy Swisher; paternal grandparents, Nathan and Idelle Ade; step-grandparents, Robert and Jean Myer, and Neil and Joyce Peterson; aunt Rose Ann Swisher Taylor; uncle Brad Swisher; cousin Jonathan Taylor; and father-in-law Larry Smith Sr.A celebration of Christy’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina, Kansas. Private burial will follow at Gypsum Valley Cemetery in Gypsum, Kansas.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christy Smith Education Fund, for her children, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.

Christy (Ade) Smith

If ever there had been a night for Southeast of Saline to lose a football game, this was it.

Yet despite suffering self-inflicted wounds, late-game adversity, and virtually insurmountable odds inside the closing minutes, the Trojans steeled their resolve and battled back to knock off Beloit on a walk-off game winner 34-30.

After building an early 14-6 lead things fell apart fast for SES, who allowed Beloit to march down and cut the deficit to two just before the halftime break.

Things did not improve in the third quarter as Evan Watkins had a punt blocked inside his own end zone on Southeast’s first drive, setting Beloit up for a Joel Rexroat touchdown run to take an 18-14 lead.

The two teams traded turnovers, but Beloit handed the ball back to Rexroat on the first play of their ensuing drive, and the tailback took it 76 yards to the house to extend the lead to 24-14.

For many teams, that would have been a knockout blow, but Southeast was far from finished, as Gannon Jacobson delivered a 33-yard beauty to Tucker Thaxton to put the game back within reach.

An SES stop to start the fourth quarter gave the ball back to the Trojans in purple and white, and on the very next play, Southeast responded on a screen play that Grady Gebhardt took 80 yards to paydirt to restore a 28-24 lead to SES.

While Southeast celebrated, those watching and on both sidelines knew this contes was still far from finished.

From the Southeast 42-yard line, Beloit flexed their muscle through the air as Jaxon Weston linked up with Jacob Hand on a deep ball to force yet another lead change and put Beloit in front 30-28.

SES was forced to punt but stood tall defensively and returned their offense to the field for one last 2:00 drill with a chance to win the game in the closing minutes.

Instead, Ryker Clark picked off Gannon Jacobson for his fourth interception of the season to line the nails around the SES coffin.

Understanding that a first down would spell the end of their season, Southeast once again stood tall, stopping Beloit on three straight plays, using their final two timeouts, and forcing Beloit to punt one final time with 53 seconds remaining.

The final drive would require 80 yards in under a minute, but a completion to Evan Watkins, a scramble by Gannon Jacobson, and another completion to Kanyon Douglas for his first catch of the day put the Trojans at the 25-yard line.

With time for just one last play, Jacobson took the snap, stepped up in the pocket, and delivered a ball to the front corner of the end zone that fell right into the lap of a streaking Kanyon Douglas.

As the Trojan players and coaches rushed the field to celebrate the realization began to set in; for just the second time in program history, the Southeast of Saline Trojans will be playing for a state title.

“This is the way our kids are, they’re going to keep fighting and clawing. Could we have made some plays in the first half that would have made this easier? Sure, but our kids kept digging and even exhausted our guys found a way to get it done.”

The final hurdle will be a steep one in the form of the two-time defending state champion Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1), but with the wind of this win in their sails, Southeast of Saline will be amped and ready to come for the kings next Friday.

To watch the full broadcast of tonight’s game, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/n55bNFEtdI4">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732338906757.jpeg" alt="Southeast of Saline poses with their sub-state trophy after walking off the Beloit Trojans. Photo Courtesy of Tanner Colvin." />
 <figcaption>Southeast of Saline poses with their sub-state trophy after walking off the Beloit Trojans. Photo Courtesy of Tanner Colvin.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostIf ever there had been a night for Southeast of Saline to lose a football game, this was it.Yet despite suffering self-inflicted wounds, late-game adversity, and virtually insurmountable odds inside the closing minutes, the Trojans steeled their resolve and battled back to knock off Beloit on a walk-off game winner 34-30.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>After building an early 14-6 lead things fell apart fast for SES, who allowed Beloit to march down and cut the deficit to two just before the halftime break.Things did not improve in the third quarter as Evan Watkins had a punt blocked inside his own end zone on Southeast’s first drive, setting Beloit up for a Joel Rexroat touchdown run to take an 18-14 lead.The two teams traded turnovers, but Beloit handed the ball back to Rexroat on the first play of their ensuing drive, and the tailback took it 76 yards to the house to extend the lead to 24-14.For many teams, that would have been a knockout blow, but Southeast was far from finished, as Gannon Jacobson delivered a 33-yard beauty to Tucker Thaxton to put the game back within reach.An SES stop to start the fourth quarter gave the ball back to the Trojans in purple and white, and on the very next play, Southeast responded on a screen play that Grady Gebhardt took 80 yards to paydirt to restore a 28-24 lead to SES.While Southeast celebrated, those watching and on both sidelines knew this contes was still far from finished.From the Southeast 42-yard line, Beloit flexed their muscle through the air as Jaxon Weston linked up with Jacob Hand on a deep ball to force yet another lead change and put Beloit in front 30-28.SES was forced to punt but stood tall defensively and returned their offense to the field for one last 2:00 drill with a chance to win the game in the closing minutes.Instead, Ryker Clark picked off Gannon Jacobson for his fourth interception of the season to line the nails around the SES coffin.Understanding that a first down would spell the end of their season, Southeast once again stood tall, stopping Beloit on three straight plays, using their final two timeouts, and forcing Beloit to punt one final time with 53 seconds remaining.The final drive would require 80 yards in under a minute, but a completion to Evan Watkins, a scramble by Gannon Jacobson, and another completion to Kanyon Douglas for his first catch of the day put the Trojans at the 25-yard line.With time for just one last play, Jacobson took the snap, stepped up in the pocket, and delivered a ball to the front corner of the end zone that fell right into the lap of a streaking Kanyon Douglas.Ballgame.As the Trojan players and coaches rushed the field to celebrate the realization began to set in; for just the second time in program history, the Southeast of Saline Trojans will be playing for a state title.“This is the way our kids are, they’re going to keep fighting and clawing. Could we have made some plays in the first half that would have made this easier? Sure, but our kids kept digging and even exhausted our guys found a way to get it done.”The final hurdle will be a steep one in the form of the two-time defending state champion Nemaha Central Thunder (11-1), but with the wind of this win in their sails, Southeast of Saline will be amped and ready to come for the kings next Friday.To watch the full broadcast of tonight’s game, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/n55bNFEtdI4">HERE</a>.Photo courtesy of Tanner Colvin.

Southeast walks off Beloit to complete thrilling semifinal comeback

For the third time in five years, the Southeast of Saline Trojans find themselves in the state semifinals, one win away from a coveted trip to a state title game.

To reach that promised land for the first time since the team’s 2005 state championship, Southeast must overcome a familiar foe, as they prepare to take on Beloit for the second time this season.

Southeast of Saline (11-0), manhandled Beloit (9-2) by a final score of 32-6 back in week three in the worst loss of the season for the orange Trojans.

“We were very fortunate in that first game that Beloit put the ball on the ground multiple times,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “They put us in good spots and we capitalized in the second quarter but we know they’re going to do a good job.”

Despite winning confidently in September, and dominating the series winning each of the last seven contests, Southeast understands the magnitude of the moment, and will be expecting a real challenge on Friday night.

“At the end of the day it’s Beloit,” Gebhardt said. “They do an outstanding job with their football program and have for a long time. Coach Gober and his staff do a good job, it doesn’t surprise me that we’re playing Beloit this late in the year. Our mentality is playing our best football this week and finding a way to go 1-0.”

For Southeast of Saline, success will start on the defensive end, where the Trojans have allowed just 14 points all postseason.

“Coach Ptacek has done a great job with oud defense for years and our kids do an excellent job of playing together and playing as one unit,” he said. “They trust the guy next to them, they’re in the right spots and they play fast and physical. That group has only gotten better as the year has gone on.”

That unit will be responsible for stopping the two-headed monster of quarterback Jaxon Weston, and tailback Joel Rexroat.

“Their offense is very good and both Weston and Rexroat do a good job with the football,” Gebhardt said. “Their offensive line is very good and if you’re undisciplined they’ll gash you. Offensively we have to play disciplined and pick up first downs to keep those guys off the field.”

Offensively, no one has had an answer for SES all season long, as the team has outscored their opponents 482-104, thanks in large part to the triple threat of Gannon Jacobson, Grady Gebhardt, and Tucker Thaxton.

“The versatility of our skill guys is a big deal and we have a lot of guys that touch the football,” he said. “When someone else can step up and we can move the football in different ways that’s huge and having those guys is big.”

The blueprint for beating Beloit has been clear from day one; stop the run, and challenge the secondary. While obvious, just two teams have managed to follow that to a victory, but Southeast is well equipped to become the third, and to repeat their week three performance on Friday night if they can cross their t’s and dot their i’s.

“We have move the football effectively against them and we need to speed them up,” Gebhardt said. “Defensively we have to be sound, they do a lot of different things that look the same but we have to make the right reads and be physical when we get there.”

Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 at Kansas Wesleyan’s JRI Stadium in Salina, and as always, can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/n55bNFEtdI4">HERE</a>, or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM).

The winner of this matchup will face either Nemaha Central (10-1), or Council Grove (8-3) in the 2A State Championship game next week.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostFor the third time in five years, the Southeast of Saline Trojans find themselves in the state semifinals, one win away from a coveted trip to a state title game.To reach that promised land for the first time since the team’s 2005 state championship, Southeast must overcome a familiar foe, as they prepare to take on Beloit for the second time this season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast of Saline (11-0), manhandled Beloit (9-2) by a final score of 32-6 back in week three in the worst loss of the season for the orange Trojans.“We were very fortunate in that first game that Beloit put the ball on the ground multiple times,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “They put us in good spots and we capitalized in the second quarter but we know they’re going to do a good job.”Despite winning confidently in September, and dominating the series winning each of the last seven contests, Southeast understands the magnitude of the moment, and will be expecting a real challenge on Friday night.“At the end of the day it’s Beloit,” Gebhardt said. “They do an outstanding job with their football program and have for a long time. Coach Gober and his staff do a good job, it doesn’t surprise me that we’re playing Beloit this late in the year. Our mentality is playing our best football this week and finding a way to go 1-0.”For Southeast of Saline, success will start on the defensive end, where the Trojans have allowed just 14 points all postseason.“Coach Ptacek has done a great job with oud defense for years and our kids do an excellent job of playing together and playing as one unit,” he said. “They trust the guy next to them, they’re in the right spots and they play fast and physical. That group has only gotten better as the year has gone on.”That unit will be responsible for stopping the two-headed monster of quarterback Jaxon Weston, and tailback Joel Rexroat.“Their offense is very good and both Weston and Rexroat do a good job with the football,” Gebhardt said. “Their offensive line is very good and if you’re undisciplined they’ll gash you. Offensively we have to play disciplined and pick up first downs to keep those guys off the field.”Offensively, no one has had an answer for SES all season long, as the team has outscored their opponents 482-104, thanks in large part to the triple threat of Gannon Jacobson, Grady Gebhardt, and Tucker Thaxton.“The versatility of our skill guys is a big deal and we have a lot of guys that touch the football,” he said. “When someone else can step up and we can move the football in different ways that’s huge and having those guys is big.”The blueprint for beating Beloit has been clear from day one; stop the run, and challenge the secondary. While obvious, just two teams have managed to follow that to a victory, but Southeast is well equipped to become the third, and to repeat their week three performance on Friday night if they can cross their t’s and dot their i’s.“We have move the football effectively against them and we need to speed them up,” Gebhardt said. “Defensively we have to be sound, they do a lot of different things that look the same but we have to make the right reads and be physical when we get there.”Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 at Kansas Wesleyan’s JRI Stadium in Salina, and as always, can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/n55bNFEtdI4">HERE</a>, or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM).The winner of this matchup will face either Nemaha Central (10-1), or Council Grove (8-3) in the 2A State Championship game next week.

🏈 2A Semifinal features Trojan War between SES and Beloit

The Hoisington Cardinals played a sound defensive game for four full quarters against Southeast of Saline, holding them to their second-smallest offensive output this season.

It hardly mattered, as the Trojans rolled to a 30-8 win and a sectional title, punching a ticket to the state semis for the third time in four years and avenging last year’s elimination loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

“Hoisington is a good, physical football team, they always are,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “Our kids stepped up to the challenge and set the tone early. They run a hard offense but our kids did a good job of being in the right spots.”

With this win, SES remains perfect on the year at 11-0, while Hoisington’s season draws to a close at 6-5.

Hoisington’s defense held the line in the first half, allowing just one touchdown in each of the first two quarters and creating a takeaway on a fumble deep in their own territory.

When the Trojans needed a spark on offense, they turned to Grady Gebhardt, who toted the rock 34 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns.

Gebhardt didn’t need all of that to achieve a win tonight, as the Southeast defense played lights out once again, holding the high-powered Hoisington offense to just 177 yards of total offense and allowing just ten first downs.

Teron Kraft, in particular found it difficult to get the ground game going, finding just 43 yards on 12 carries in a stifling performance.

Gannon Jacobson, who finished the day 15-25 for 146 yards and a touchdown through the air, got the scoring started on a 22-yard strike to Tucker Thaxton in the closing seconds of the first quarter.

From there, it was Gebhardt’s time to shine, as the senior tailback punched in three unanswered scores to put the Trojans up 30-0.

The Cardinals did find the end zone late in the fourth quarter, but it was far too little far too late, as the Trojans rolled to another confident victory.

SES dominated the time-of-possession battle, holding the ball for more than 30 minutes of this 48-minute game.

“We wanted to try to keep the ball away from them and first downs in games like this are even more critical,” Gebhardt said. “As the games continue on, things are going to be different than they are in the regular season, but our guys did a good job of handling that.

Southeast’s semifinal opponent will be the Beloit Trojans, who shut out Garden Plain 19-0 tonight.

SES defeated the orange Trojans 32-6 in one of Beloit’s only two losses this season. The other was to Norton, who Southeast rolled 34-7 last week.

On the other side of the bracket, Council Grove (8-3) will face the defending 2A state champs in Nemaha Central (10-1).

To watch the full broadcast of tonight’s game, click <a href="https://youtube.com/live/dvqBrpcJ6OQ">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731728628725.png" alt="The Southeast of Saline football team poses with their sectional plaque after taking down the Hoisington Cardinals" />
 <figcaption>The Southeast of Saline football team poses with their sectional plaque after taking down the Hoisington Cardinals</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostRevenge is a dish best served cold.The Hoisington Cardinals played a sound defensive game for four full quarters against Southeast of Saline, holding them to their second-smallest offensive output this season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>It hardly mattered, as the Trojans rolled to a 30-8 win and a sectional title, punching a ticket to the state semis for the third time in four years and avenging last year’s elimination loss at the hands of the Cardinals.“Hoisington is a good, physical football team, they always are,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “Our kids stepped up to the challenge and set the tone early. They run a hard offense but our kids did a good job of being in the right spots.”With this win, SES remains perfect on the year at 11-0, while Hoisington’s season draws to a close at 6-5.Hoisington’s defense held the line in the first half, allowing just one touchdown in each of the first two quarters and creating a takeaway on a fumble deep in their own territory.When the Trojans needed a spark on offense, they turned to Grady Gebhardt, who toted the rock 34 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns.Gebhardt didn’t need all of that to achieve a win tonight, as the Southeast defense played lights out once again, holding the high-powered Hoisington offense to just 177 yards of total offense and allowing just ten first downs.Teron Kraft, in particular found it difficult to get the ground game going, finding just 43 yards on 12 carries in a stifling performance.Gannon Jacobson, who finished the day 15-25 for 146 yards and a touchdown through the air, got the scoring started on a 22-yard strike to Tucker Thaxton in the closing seconds of the first quarter.From there, it was Gebhardt’s time to shine, as the senior tailback punched in three unanswered scores to put the Trojans up 30-0.The Cardinals did find the end zone late in the fourth quarter, but it was far too little far too late, as the Trojans rolled to another confident victory.SES dominated the time-of-possession battle, holding the ball for more than 30 minutes of this 48-minute game.“We wanted to try to keep the ball away from them and first downs in games like this are even more critical,” Gebhardt said. “As the games continue on, things are going to be different than they are in the regular season, but our guys did a good job of handling that.Southeast’s semifinal opponent will be the Beloit Trojans, who shut out Garden Plain 19-0 tonight.SES defeated the orange Trojans 32-6 in one of Beloit’s only two losses this season. The other was to Norton, who Southeast rolled 34-7 last week.On the other side of the bracket, Council Grove (8-3) will face the defending 2A state champs in Nemaha Central (10-1).To watch the full broadcast of tonight’s game, click <a href="https://youtube.com/live/dvqBrpcJ6OQ">HERE</a>.

Southeast halts Hoisington to advance to 2A semifinals

On Friday night, with just eight teams remaining in each classification, the Southeast of Saline football team will gear up to compete in their fifth consecutive quarterfinal round.

Southeast breezed through the first two rounds of this year’s 2A bracket, taking down Larned 76-12, and Norton 34-7.

Now, the Trojans (10-0) find a familiar foe blocking their path as they meet the Hoisington Cardinals (6-4) for a third-straight playoff matchup.

Despite their record, Hoisington is no joke, and has won six of their last seven games, including playoff win of 28-15 over Ellsworth, and 24-14 over Haven.

“Hoisington is a top-notch 2A football program,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “They played a very difficult schedule early but Coach Baird always does a great job of getting his kids prepared for games like this.”

These two teams have played in some battles over the years, but none have been bigger than the last two meetings, with Southeast eliminating Hoisington 44-21 in 2022, and Hoisington exacting their revenge 49-42 a season ago.

“We’ve gotten to play these guys three years in a row so there’s some familiarity,” Gebhardt said. “Hoisington has a great football program. It doesn’t surprise me that they’re here and our kids are exciting to play them again.”

Despite losing a strong senior class, the Cardinals have returned with a vengeance in 2024, and have steadily improved throughout the season as their youth gained experience, and their veterans returned to the field.

“They have a good mix of returners and newcomers,” he said. “They were banged up with some injuries early in the season but they got a lot of those kids back. They run the ball well, and they’ll sprinkle in enough of the pass to keep you on your toes. Defensively they still play fast and physical so it should be a very good football game.”

None of those returners were bigger than senior tailback Teron Kraft, who has carried the ball 74 times for 510 yards and four touchdowns since recovering from an early-season injury.

For Southeast to have success, they’ll have to stop a balanced rushing attack, and find ways to disrupt senior quarterback Rhen Galla, who has completed 45% of his passes this season for 850 yards, 9 touchdowns and just three picks.

Offensively, the Trojans will look to keep their war machine rolling, breaking off consistent yardage with big splash plays to grind on the Cardinal defense physically and mentally.

“Our offensive and defensive lines have both taken huge steps forward throughout the year,” Gebhardt said. Offensively we have to get first downs and take care of the football, defensively we have to be assignment sound and play fast and physical. This is the playoffs so every down matters.”

Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 at Kansas Wesleyan’s JRI Stadium in Salina, and as always, can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/dvqBrpcJ6OQ">HERE</a>, or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM).

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostOn Friday night, with just eight teams remaining in each classification, the Southeast of Saline football team will gear up to compete in their fifth consecutive quarterfinal round.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Southeast breezed through the first two rounds of this year’s 2A bracket, taking down Larned 76-12, and Norton 34-7.Now, the Trojans (10-0) find a familiar foe blocking their path as they meet the Hoisington Cardinals (6-4) for a third-straight playoff matchup.Despite their record, Hoisington is no joke, and has won six of their last seven games, including playoff win of 28-15 over Ellsworth, and 24-14 over Haven.“Hoisington is a top-notch 2A football program,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “They played a very difficult schedule early but Coach Baird always does a great job of getting his kids prepared for games like this.”These two teams have played in some battles over the years, but none have been bigger than the last two meetings, with Southeast eliminating Hoisington 44-21 in 2022, and Hoisington exacting their revenge 49-42 a season ago.“We’ve gotten to play these guys three years in a row so there’s some familiarity,” Gebhardt said. “Hoisington has a great football program. It doesn’t surprise me that they’re here and our kids are exciting to play them again.”Despite losing a strong senior class, the Cardinals have returned with a vengeance in 2024, and have steadily improved throughout the season as their youth gained experience, and their veterans returned to the field.“They have a good mix of returners and newcomers,” he said. “They were banged up with some injuries early in the season but they got a lot of those kids back. They run the ball well, and they’ll sprinkle in enough of the pass to keep you on your toes. Defensively they still play fast and physical so it should be a very good football game.”None of those returners were bigger than senior tailback Teron Kraft, who has carried the ball 74 times for 510 yards and four touchdowns since recovering from an early-season injury.For Southeast to have success, they’ll have to stop a balanced rushing attack, and find ways to disrupt senior quarterback Rhen Galla, who has completed 45% of his passes this season for 850 yards, 9 touchdowns and just three picks.Offensively, the Trojans will look to keep their war machine rolling, breaking off consistent yardage with big splash plays to grind on the Cardinal defense physically and mentally.“Our offensive and defensive lines have both taken huge steps forward throughout the year,” Gebhardt said. Offensively we have to get first downs and take care of the football, defensively we have to be assignment sound and play fast and physical. This is the playoffs so every down matters.”Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 at Kansas Wesleyan’s JRI Stadium in Salina, and as always, can be streamed with live video and commentary on Salina Post by clicking <a href="https://youtube.com/live/dvqBrpcJ6OQ">HERE</a>, or heard on KINA (910 AM/107.5 FM).