FSHS foiled by field, Lions

In the end, Chris Fulton, Brandon McAnderson, and Mother Nature proved to be the back-breakers for Free State High’s football team.

The significant amount of rainl that plagued Lawrence on Wednesday and Thursday made for a sloppy mudfest Friday night at Haskell Stadium.

The Firebirds’ air attack, which came in averaging 168 yards a game, was tough to execute, and the LHS running game of McAnderson and Fulton was able to come through for a 42-26 district victory.

“A game in the mud like that, the bigger team has the advantage,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “We were getting pushed around a little bit.”

To add injury to insult, Free State’s top rusher, senior David Allen, left the game in the second quarter because of an injury and did not return.

“He took a shot on the side of his leg, and it was pretty sore,” Lisher said. “It would usually take his leg getting amputated for him to come out, so it may be kind of serious.”

Allen finished the night with 28 yards on nine carries. Senior Joe Aber filled in effectively, rushing 10 times for 33 yards with a touchdown. He also hauled in a 10-yard pass from Matt Berner for another TD.

Lisher said the terrible conditions haunting Haskell Stadium caused for a little change of plans in the offensive scheme.

Free State's Cole Douglas, center, drags Lawrence High defenders. The LHS defense held the Firebirds to 131 yards rushing in the Lions' 42-26 district victory Friday night at Haskell Stadium.

“We had to put our receivers in motion,” he said. “We were trying to use them as an extra blocker.”

In the end, Lawrence’s running attack was way too strong for Free State to contain. The Lions (6-2 overall, 2-0 district) garnered 412 yards of total offense, all but four of them coming on the ground. The McAnderson-Fulton tandem had all six of the Lions’ touchdowns.

Free State (6-2, 1-1) did have 207 yards passing, a pretty impressive statistic considering the conditions. Quarterback Matt Berner, the Sunflower League’s highest-rated quarterback, managed 174 yards on 14-of-29 passing, but was inconsistent throughout the game.

On this night and on this field, it was the team with the best running game that inevitably came out on top.

“They kept fighting, and they never gave up.” Lisher said of his squad. “I’m disappointed for the kids because they couldn’t get the win, but I’m not disappointed in the effort they gave.”