When playing a team with enough recent state championship rings to overflow to a second hand, mistakes and penalties aren’t forgiving.

And despite a gutsy effort to cover up the blemishes of its performance, the Free State High football team just couldn’t, and the Firebirds fell, 28-14, Friday night to Olathe North at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium.

The Eagles, winners of six of the last seven Class 6A state titles, were dominated on the stat sheet, but victorious on the scoreboard. They improved to 4-2. Free State dropped to 3-3.

“That was a game that shouldn’t have slipped, and it slipped,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “That’s something a good football team doesn’t allow. We’re a good football team that has to eliminate that.”

Free State seemed in control for most of the first half. After O-North’s Justin Gore put the Eagles up 7-0, the Firebirds responded with a three-yard touchdown run by senior Cole Douglas, and a razzle-dazzle 42-yard touchdown reception by senior Dain Dillingham.

The pass was, in fact, unleashed by sophomore running back Brett Lisher, after he took a toss from quarterback Caleb Harvey. Free State led 14-7, and Olathe North didn’t seem to be responding.

How quickly things can change, though.

Facing third down and 19 yards to go from their own 14-yard line, the Firebirds tried for a deep pass play to Dillingham. Instead it was picked off by Dustin Moomau, and returned 25 yards to the 13-yard line. The Eagles scored on the next play, and the Firebirds never had the lead again.

“I called a risky play, and it’s risky for a reason,” coach Lisher said. “Their guy made a good play on it.”

Free State High's Dain Dillingham leaps to make a catch for a touchdown over Olathe North's Dustin Moomau. The Firebirds lost to the Eagles, 28-14, Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Harvey, who threw the pick, was less willing to give anyone credit.

“It was a costly interception,” he said. “There’s no excuse for that.”

Regardless, the Firebirds didn’t play dead. They might have been too antsy, though. A false start penalty all but cut short Free State’s first drive of the third quarter, and later, a 27-yard run by junior Jamie Resseguie was called back by a holding penalty.

The Eagles tacked on a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, and another at the beginning of the fourth.

“Whether it be penalties or a turnover, something always seems to get us,” Lisher said. “Hopefully, we’ve had our share of them and it’s time for us to get a few breaks in that regard.”

¢ 6Sports video: Free State fall to Olathe North

Free State’s barrage of offensive weapons once again was present, and for awhile, caused the Eagles’ defense a lot of headaches. Douglas was the biggest contributor on offense, rushing the ball 12 times for 138 yards. Dillingham added 83 yards receiving on five catches.

When the Eagles shut down Dillingham with a suffocating double-team, senior Marcus Murphy stepped up and caught three passes for 41 yards.

“We had to look elsewhere,” Lisher said of Murphy’s performance. “Marcus did a good job of stepping up and catching the ball.”

Overall, Free State had 310 yards of total offense. O-North had 194.

The reliable contributions from several players gave Lisher reason for optimism heading into district play, starting next week at Topeka.

But for now, a loss still is just that — a loss.

“A few breaks here and there, and we’re up 28-14, instead of vice-versa,” Lisher said. “But good teams make their own breaks.”

Free State's Cole Douglas, top, tries to slip by an Olathe North defender. The Firebirds lost, 28-14, Friday at Kansas University's Memorial Stadium.