Free State High quarterback Matt Berner never saw the play happen.

He was flat on his back trying to pry off the defender that had just buried Berner in the grass.

Free State running back Cole Douglas, left, runs past the Shawnee Mission Northwest defense and into the end zone. The Firebirds knocked off the Cougars, 31-28, Friday at Haskell Stadium.

If the Free State senior could have scrambled to his feet, he would have seen junior Dain Dillingham snag Berner’s lob pass away from Shawnee Mission Northwest defender Ryan Stuart and run 69 yards untouched to the end zone for what would be the game-winning touchdown.

Dillingham’s touchdown and a defensive take-away by the Firebirds in the final three minutes gave Free State a 31-28, season-opening football victory Friday night at Haskell Stadium.

“It was great, incredible,” Berner said after being informed of Dillingham’s highlight grab by his teammates. “What an athlete.”

Minutes earlier, Berner said all he was thinking was, “This can’t be happening again.”

Last year the Firebirds lost each of their first four games by an average of five points.

And though FSHS dominated most of Friday’s game, the Firebirds were in jeopardy of losing another close one.

Cougars quarterback Matt Landess gave Northwest its only lead at 28-24, with 6:54 left with his four-yard keeper. That capped a scoring drive created by running back Devin Jackson’s 76-yard scamper down the left sideline.

“I was like, ‘Don’t do this to me again,'” said Berner, who completed 16 of 24 passes for 253 yards. “But this time I was a little bit more confident.”

Free State running back Joe Aber is halted by the Shawnee Mission Northwest defense after a short run. The Firebirds came from behind to defeat the Cougars, 31-28, in their season-opener Friday night at Haskell Stadium.

He soon would have reason to be.

Despite Northwest’s four-point lead and the fact Free State was forced to go three-plays-and-punt on its ensuing possession, the Firebirds had a final chance to change the outcome.

The Cougars also had to punt, and with 3:33 left on the clock, Free State was back on offense just inside its own 15-yard line.

Two incomplete passes later, the Firebirds were facing a crucial third-and-10.

Berner placed a perfect pass in the arms of senior wide receiver Bijai Jones, who picked up 17 yards on the play for the first down.

The Firebirds didn’t waste any time.

Free State wide receiver Bijai Jones is wrapped up after a reception in the first half. The Firebirds won, 31-28, Friday night.

On the next play, Berner seemed as if he might go out of bounds as he scrambled to find an open target.

Just when Northwest’s pressure was closing in, Berner released the ball to Dillingham 40 yards down-field. The basketball-playing junior easily outjumped SMNW’s Stuart, made the catch, shrugged off contact with Stuart and bolted for the score.

“The last three years the breaks have kind of gone against us. Tonight we made our own breaks,” Firebird coach Bob Lisher said.

That was especially evident early.

Free State drove 48 yards on nine plays on its first drive and scored on a roll-out pass from Berner to Cole Cruse.

The Firebirds punted on their next possession, and Northwest knotted the score when Cougar receiver Joey Mulugeta scorched his defender on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Landess.

Free State responded with two scores in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead with 4:01 left in the first half.

Berner hit Joe Aber on a quick screen pass and Kyle Berthold threw a monster block to free Aber for the second touchdown. Cole Douglas later plunged in from two yards out to boost the lead to 14 points.

But Mulugeta a senior receiver who had just three catches all of last season answered for Northwest. Mulugeta’s second catch also was a TD, cutting the deficit to a single touchdown.

Things became more interesting in the second half.

Free State missed out on a touchdown opportunity after Northwest prolonged a Firebirds’ drive by having too many men on the field.

The Firebirds settled for a field goal by Will Malcom for a 24-15 lead.

Northwest took the lead less than three minutes later.

But Berner and Dillingham hooked up in response.

“I’m extremely happy. I can’t say enough about all the guys tonight,” Berner said. “We hope this sets the standard for us this season and we can keep rolling.”

David Allen rushed for 96 yards for the Firebirds.

Free State will travel to Olathe South on Thursday.