Imagine how good things could be for Free State High’s football team if only Will Malcolm would be completely healthy.

Friday, the Firebirds defeated Shawnee Mission West, 23-14, at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium behind another dominating defensive effort and a couple of standouts on offense.

Malcolm was one of them, and he wasn’t even close to full strength.

The senior rushed for 95 yards on just seven carries, playing about half the game because of an infection in his elbow.

“I’m definitely not 100 percent,” said Malcolm, who also kicked a 20-yard field goal and two extra points. “I missed a lot of practice last week standing around.”

Malcolm said the bum elbow affected his running, and being held out of practice no doubt affected his playing condition.

“I’ve got to get back to my full tilt,” Malcolm said.

Funny, because when he first entered the game at running back midway through the second quarter, Malcolm was forced into full-tilt action during his first play.

Senior linebacker Cole Douglas (32) and a Free State High teammate take out Shawnee Mission West's D.J. Barnett for a loss of yardage. The Firebirds' defense thrived early in a 23-14 homecoming victory Friday at Memorial Stadium.

On a perfectly executed option play, quarterback Caleb Harvey dished the ball to Malcolm as the QB got creamed, and Malcolm streaked 56 yards up the sideline to the SM West 14-yard line. He was virtually untouched, thanks to some fabulous blocking down field.

Was he winded after the run? You’d better believe it.

“I didn’t know if we’d get him back after that 56-yard sprint he had,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “That’s the first time he’s run a sprint in two weeks.”

Fortunately for FSHS, senior Dain Dillingham was there to give everyone — except his opposing cornerback — some breaks. Like Malcolm, Dillingham was spectacular Friday, catching four passes for 104 yards with two touchdowns. He also had an interception, Free State’s first of the year.

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Even with tight coverage, the Vikings (0-3) just couldn’t contain Dillingham. Three of his four catches Friday were for more than 20 yards. His two longest receptions — for 37 and 43 yards — were the only two that weren’t for touchdowns.

“We always expect big plays out of Dain,” Lisher said. “Sometimes we expect too many big plays out of him. They were covering us in a way that we thought we could take advantage of Dain.”

FSHS senior Cole Douglas had the only rushing touchdown for Free State, a one-yard run with 5:27 left in the first quarter. The running game was effective throughout, but the Harvey-to-Dillingham hookup was what finished two of the three scoring drives.

Free State High's Brett Lisher carries the ball against Shawnee Mission West. Lisher's lone carry netted nine yards in the Firebirds' 23-14 victory Friday night

“The line was doing a great job of blocking, and Caleb was putting the ball where it needed to be,” Dillingham said. “When things are going like that and you’re trusting your teammates, everything else just falls into place.”

Harvey was 6-of-11 passing for 123 yards and the two touchdowns. His last attempt was a four-yard touchdown pass to Dillingham on a slant route, giving Free State a 23-0 lead with 4:16 to play.

Lisher then elected to give his scout team defense some work, and it led to two late SM West touchdowns. The scores snapped Free State’s streak of nine consecutive quarters without allowing a point.

No matter. The Firebirds (2-1) have a two-game winning streak heading into Friday’s road showdown with Olathe East.

And as a bonus, it appears that Malcolm, yet another Free State offensive weapon, is getting better every day.

“Good wins. Now we’ve got to bring it up in practice,” Malcolm said. “We’ve got a lot improving to do, but it does feel good to get the win.”

Free State's Dain Dillingham, right, runs down the sideline after catching a pass. Dillingham had four grabs for 104 yards and two touchdowns -- and had an interception on defense -- in the Firebirds' 23-14 victory Friday night over Shawnee Mission West at Kansas University's Memorial Stadium.