Someone check the mail at Leavenworth High.

Somehow, the Pioneers didn’t get the memo that next Friday’s Free State High-Olathe North matchup was supposed to feature two unbeaten Sunflower League teams.

Fortunately for the Firebirds, David Allen delivered the message late in Free State’s 34-23 win Friday at Memorial Stadium on the Kansas University campus.

With FSHS nursing a 28-23 lead and pinned at its own 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter, the senior running back ripped off a 98-yard touchdown run, bobbing and weaving through the Leavenworth defense. He was aided by two key downfield blocks from receivers Bijai Jones and Dain Dillingham. Allen went past the left tackle, made his way to the FSHS 40 with Dillingham leading the way, then cut across the field and into the end zone.

Talk about timely. Allen’s run took the fight out of the 1-4 Pioneers.

“I was just looking for room. I saw somebody out of the corner of my eye,” Allen said. “I didn’t even know it was Dain.”

Once he busted it, the night got a whole lot better for FSHS coach Bob Lisher, who saw his team struggle with its vaunted passing game and be frustrated by Leavenworth’s incessant passing.

Getting an out-of-character play from Allen was just what he wanted.

“He made some great cuts on that play, too, and David’s not a slasher,” Lisher said. “He’s going to run over anybody, but not go around them.”

Free State (5-0) came in averaging 212 yards a game passing, but managed just 65 yards. Quarterback Matt Berner, who owns the league’s highest QB rating, was a pedestrian seven of 15 with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Fortunately for the Firebirds, the running game picked up where the passing game faltered, racking up 365 yards on 48 attempts.

Free State's David Allen tries to step through the grasp of a Leavenworth defender. Allen finished with 161 yards and two touchdowns as the Firebirds won, 34-23, Friday night at Kansas University's Memorial Stadium.

Allen finished with 161 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns, while junior Cole Douglas added 102 yards on 13 carries. Berner nearly matched his passing total, rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries. Joe Aber, crowned homecoming king at halftime, had 50 yards on 11 attempts.

The Firebirds established the run early, running on all nine plays during its opening drive, which resulted in an Allen score. It looked like it could be a quick night when the Firebirds forced the Pioneers to punt on the next possession, but Berner’s second pass of the game was returned for a 48-yard touchdown.

When Leavenworth recovered the onside kick, Free State knew it would be a long night. The Pioneers tried everything to disrupt the Firebird defense throwing 36 times and running several reverses and quick handoffs but got their biggest plays off Free State mistakes.

With 4:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, Leavenworth struck quick with a 56-yard touchdown to Charles Morgan, who caught the ball on a crossing pattern and outran three FSHS defenders. On the ensuing kickoff, Free State’s Marcus Murphy was tackled for a safety.

Was Olathe North looming?

“We tried not to, but as hard as you try, it’s always in the back of your head,” Allen said.

Lisher preferred to think about Free State’s improved rushing game and the end result. Plus, with homecoming and assorted injuries, it seems the Firebirds just needed a little luck.

“I don’t know,” Lisher said. “There’s a lot of different things we could come up with. I’m just glad the kids came up with the big plays.”