After going three and out on the first possession of the game, SES punted the football to Riley County. The Falcons marched down the field and put up the first score of the game to take a 7-0 lead with 8:31 left in the opening period. The Falcons would do the same on their second possession sprinting out to a 14-0 lead.
The second period would bring more defense to both sides, but Riley County would get their third score of the night with 38 seconds left in the second quarter taking a 21-0 lead into halftime.
Leading by three scores and set to receive the opening kick-off in the second half, the Falcons had everything going their way. As soon as the third quarter kick hit the ground, things changed. Riley County fumbled the kick and the Trojans recovered deep in Falcon territory. Minutes later, Jaxson Gebhardt threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Nick Montgomery who won a jump ball in the end zone. Aaron Kitchener added the extra point and the Trojans were on the board 21-7 with 10:02 left in the third quarter.
Gebhardt would exit the game with an apparent injury later in the quarter, bringing Seth Eklund in to play quarterback. Two passes later, Eklund found Raef Boley for a 16 yard touchdown pass on the left sideline. Another Kitchener PAT would bring SES within one score 21-14 with 34 seconds left in the third quarter. After three straight incomplete passes, Riley County was forced to punt the football again.
The two teams would exchange turnovers to begin the fourth quarter, but eventually Southeast of Saline would take advantage. Jaxson Gebhardt returned to the game to find Daelan McKnight in the end zone on a 25 yard touchdown strike. Kitchener would add the extra point to tie the game at 21 with 4:31 left.
Riley County would mishandle the ensuing kick-off, burying the Falcons deep in their own territory. On a third down play, Riley County would drop back to pass and the Trojan defense rose up again sacking the Falcon quarterback in the end zone for a safety. That play not only gave the Trojans a two point lead, but also gave them the football. With only one time-out remaining, the Falcons were desperate for a stop and got called with a face mask penalty giving the Trojans a game clinching first down.
Southeast of Saline would run out the clock and capture the win 23-21, scoring 23 unanswered points. The Trojans (6-1) will return home next week to take on Council Grove.