The #6 Southeast Knights lost 31-20 to #7 Elkhorn South Storm during each teams’ first football game of the year on Aug. 26.

A few turnovers proved to be deadly to the Knight’s hope to beat the Storm on Friday night. They played hard, but fumbles and an interception caused them to lose momentum in the 2nd half.

“We had a couple turnovers there in the second half that were pretty big in the game,” Head Coach Ryan Gottula said, with the biggest turnover definitely being the failed trick play resulting in a fumble.

 That being said, there were still plenty of big plays to go around on Friday night.

“I thought our kids competed really well, played a really hard four quarters and we threw the ball pretty well with a 70 percent completion rate and three touchdowns,” Gottula said.

The passing game was definitely on point on Friday night. Coach Gottula wants to bring back what Southeast is known for– running the ball– and he wishes to do a better job at the next game against the Lincoln East Spartans.

“I want us to be able to run the football a little more consistently,” Gottula said. 

 Some players live to play under the Friday night lights and Coach Gottula was impressed with all his players. However, there were a few leaders who really stepped up and were able to help the team.

“I mean, if you look statistically, Will Jesske and Max Buettenback had a lot of tackles and you know they were out there a lot,” Gottula said. “I thought our offensive line did very well in pass protection against a very good defensive line.”

The Knights get back to work Friday, Sept. 2 against the Spartans, who are also 0-1. The Knights hope to get back on track and get back to the State Tournament like the past few years.