High School Football is back in Kansas in tonight, including a full slate of games for Saline County schools.
Southeast of Saline at Sacred Heart (at Salina Stadium) – 7 p.m. – KINA 910 AM/94.5 FM
The Southeast of Saline Trojans begin their 2015 campaign when they make the short trip to Salina to take on rival Sacred Heart in a game that will take place at Salina Stadium. Sacred Heart, led by Coach Bruce Graber, had originally planned to play the game at the new Graves Family Sports Complex at Kansas Wesleyan University, but construction delays have postponed their debut at the facility until September 18th. The Trojans, led by Coach Mitch Gebhardt, saw their 2014 season end with a first round playoff loss to Halstead. They finished with a record of 7-3, which also included a 54-13 victory over the Knights. Sacred Heart ended the 2014 season with a record of 4-5 and a heartbreaking double overtime playoff loss at Phillipsburg.
Salina Central at Lawton, Oklahoma – 7 p.m.
Coach Mike Hall and the Salina Central Mustangs kickoff the 2015 season outside of Kansas. The Mustangs will make a near 5 hour trip to take on the Wolverines of Lawton, Oklahoma. Central hosted Lawton last year in a game in which the Mustangs were overwhelmed 49-3. It was the beginning of a season in which the Mustangs finished 6-4 and lost an opening round playoff match-up to Wichita Heights.
Salina South at McPherson – 7 p.m.
The Salina South Cougars had a stellar 2014 campaign that ended with a mark of 10-2. Coach Sam Sellers’ Cougars were every bit a state championship contender until running into a roadblock in the form of eventual state champion Bishop Carroll in the sub-state championship game. Not willing to be deterred in their quest for a state title, the Golden Eagles shut out the Cougars, 49-0, essentially ending their attempt to return the Class 5A state championship game. The Cougars begin their 2015 campaign with a road trip to McPherson. South easily rolled past the Bullpups last year, 61-32, which was the beginning of a five game winning streak.
Ell-Saline at Inman – 7 p.m.
Perhaps the most surprising story of the 2014 season was that of Coach Terry King and his Ell-Saline Cardinals. The Cardinals, who finished 9-4 a year ago, found themselves playing for a Class 2-1A State Championship, which was the result of an improbable playoff run that included upsets of Sedgwick, LaCrosse and Phillipsburg. The Cardinals came up just shy of winning the state crown, losing to Olpe 26-24 in the championship game. This year, the Cardinals will have to rebuild again. Several key players were lost to graduation, including standout defensive lineman Evan Morrical. The Cardinals 2015 season begins with a Heart of America league contest at Inman. Ell-Saline handed the Teutons a 20-8 loss in Brookville a year ago.
St. John’s Military at Cair Paravel – Saturday, 3 p.m.
It’s a transition year for St. John’s Military Muleskinners. Mike Reid steps back in as head coach this year and with him are a team of nearly 30 cadets. The Muleskinners finished the 2014 season with a record of 2-7, which was down from their 5-6 finish in 2013. This year begins with a road trip to Topeka to face Cair Paravel at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The Lions handed St. John’s a 60-26 loss at the beginning of the 2014 season.
Other area games:
Royal Valley at Abilene
Chapman at Circle
Smoky Valley at Hesston
Bennington at Whitewater-Remington
Moundridge at Marion
Lyndon at Herington
Minneapolis at Republic County
Russell at Ellsworth
Concordia at Beloit
Lincoln at Tescott
Centre at Solomon
Canton-Galva at Peabody-Burns
Rural Vista at Little River
Wilson at Linn
Natoma at Sylvan-Lucas Unified
Rossville at Clay Center
Lyons at Pratt