Talk about blasting out of the chute.

Aaron Ideus scored two of his career-high three goals in the first 41/2 minutes, fueling Free State High’s 5-1 triumph over Shawnee Mission South in Sunflower League boys soccer Friday afternoon at the FSHS field.

“Ideus was just on fire,” Firebirds’ coach Jason Pendleton said. “You usually feel secure with a 2-0 lead at halftime, but it was scary because I looked up and saw so much time was left.”

Ideus, a junior midfielder, drilled a passing shot before the first minute had elapsed, then he nailed a penalty kick into the left corner of the net with 35:22 on the clock.

When you’re on fire, you’re on fire, but Ideus pointed to a couple of other factors.

“We didn’t have school today, for one thing,” he said. “And this is our only game this week. Our Tuesday game had to be changed because of a concert. I just felt good. It was a good day.”

It was one of many good days for the Firebirds, who have a 9-1-1 record and are off to the fastest start in the eight-year history of the program.

“We’re not as skilled as some teams,” Pendleton said, “but we have a great group of kids and tremendous leadership. These kids really have it going. They like being patted on the back and being congratulated in the hallways.”

Three of the starters have to be congratulated in junior high hallways. Pendleton starts three ninth graders, including Alex Claxton, who collected the Firebirds’ third goal about 16 minutes before halftime.

Free State wasted little time scoring again after the second half started. Senior Dustin Nye converted in the second minute. Seven minutes later, Ideus added his third goal and the Firebirds’ last of the day.

“Our energy and focus was outstanding,” Pendleton said. “But the meat of our schedule begins next week.”

In effect, the Firebirds will find out just how good they are next week when they meet Shawnee Mission West on Tuesday, Olathe East on Thursday and Olathe South on Friday. The O-South game is the one postponed from Tuesday.

“We’ve been taking care of business so far,” senior middle defender Sam Buhler said, “but we’ve got three big games next week against three of the best teams in the league.”

SM South (6-6) did not score its goal. While defending in the box, Buhler accidentally deflected the ball past Free State goalie Aaron Williams with 18:22 remaining.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored on myself before,” Buhler said with a smile. “I got the own goal, but I thought we did a good job on defense.”