Volleyball 

Last season, the Lady Trojans volleyball team finished the year at 10-21. After losing six seniors, the team this year will feature a totally new group. “Our starting lineup is going to be, a senior, two juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen,” said head coach Ashley Gilpin. 

Returning to the group are 2020 All-League Honorable Mention Picks, Senior Karsyn Schlesener, and Junior Chase Gilpin. “They, along with the other girls, have done a great job of making the freshman comfortable”, added coach Gilpin. This will be a critical component in the success of the young team this year.

To start this season, the Trojans competed in the Minneapolis Triangular. They first took on a solid Clay Center team and fell in two (22-25, 16-25). The Tigers came in ranking 8th in 4a. Next, they faced league opponent, Minneapolis, who they defeated in three (28-26, 23-25, 25-22). Leading the way for the Trojans was Schlesener who recorded 26 assists, 16 digs, and 2 aces. Along with Sophomore Lexi Jacobson who finished with 19 kills, 12 digs, and an ace. Splitting these first couple of games is a step in the right direction. “We want to finish towards the top of the league this year,” Gilpin said.  Getting this first win of the season is a good start. 

The Trojans will look to build on this win streak but will have to wait due to cancelations of the Lyons Triangular. Here they were scheduled to face Lyons and rival Sacred Heart. The next scheduled games are set for this Saturday where the Trojans will host an invitational. 

Cross Country

With the Trojan’s great success in recent years, including 3 Boys’ State Championships, they hope to carry the success over into this year. With crucial seniors leaving from last year, including Luke Gleason, Dominic Jackson, Drew Hanson, and Spencer Smith, people are forced to step up.

The Trojans did not lose their entire state championship team, bringing back experienced varsity runners, including Joel Kejr, Dylan Sprecker, and Damion Jackson. That’s not it for the Trojans. Incoming transfer, Levi Allen, and runners including Cayden Walker, Drake Augustine, and Nakari Morrical-Palmer will all run the 5k for Southeast boys.

As for the girls’ squad, their success is just starting. With bringing home the state championship last year, they hope to repeat this year. The Trojans bring back Top 25 State Finishers, Jentrie Alderson and Ashley Prochazka. The Trojans also bring in two very skilled freshman runners, Abby Commerford and Cali Augustine. The varsity team is rounded out with other highly skilled runners, including Joni Schroeder, Savannah Sutton, Brookelyn Adams, and Sadie Franklin. 

The Trojans, both boys, and girls come into the 2021 season ranked number 1 for the preseason (Maxpreps). The Trojans’ first meet was supposed to be in Abilene, but it was canceled due to rain and lightning. The meet will be replaced by one this Saturday in Wamego. Junior runner Damion Jackson states, “It’ll be better competition for us.” This meet will be a larger 4a meet, rather than the Trojans’ usual, 3a meet. Before this, the Trojans head south on Thursday, September 9th to compete at the Hesston Invitational. 

Football

A season ago, the SES football team finished with a 9-1 record. The one loss coming in the third round of the playoffs to Wichita Collegiate, who lost to eventual champs Andale. Last year the Trojans were led by Senior Quarterback Jaxson Gebhardt, who finished with 1,068 All-Purpose Yards. Graduating alongside Gebhardt, were Bryant Banks, Eddie McVay, Tyler Breeding, Eli Harris, Sterling Harp, Logan Sanders, and Grant Stumpf. Losing 8 guys can result in big holes to fill.

Taking over for the Trojans this season is Junior Quarterback Luke Gebhardt. Last season, he started on the opposite side of the ball as a Safety where he racked up 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Also in the backfield with Luke will be new RB Matthew Rodriquez. Another big part of the Trojans defense a season ago, finishing with a team-leading 95 tackles at MLB. Going with the backs will be speed demon receivers/secondary players, Chase Poague and Michael Murray. Junior Landen Allen is returning to the defense at LB and will also get time at receiver this year. All these guys will be protected by a group of mainly senior linemen.

For the first game of the season, the Trojans took on the Lions of Minneapolis. After a little bit of a slow start, the Trojans pulled away with a 50-0 victory. On the dominant defensive side, lineman Dawson Adams led with 9 tackles. Senior Jasper McDowell, Junior Caden Isaacson, and Rodriquez all added 6 tackles each.  The scoring was led by Chase Poague who recorded a rushing TD, receiving TD, and punt return TD. The rest of the touchdowns came off of runs by Sophmore Daniel Kejr, Senior Jude Golden, and two by Matthew Rodriquez.

Next, SES will go on the road to face rival Beloit, a team that they took down a year ago (18-0). They will look to replicate the results from last year, as they will face the same slate of teams. The next home game will be homecoming on September 24th against Russell.