Olathe ? The score wasn’t close. Yet too often Friday night, Free State High was.

The Firebirds saw the red zone turn into the dead zone, failing to score on their first three drives -all of which ended inside the Olathe East 20-yard line. The result was a 28-6 football loss to the No. 3-ranked Hawks, despite the fact the Firebirds dominated most offensive categories.

“I think our kids executed well until we got inside the 20,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “Then, things fell apart.”

Free State racked up 241 yards in the first half – compared to East’s 118 – but trailed, 14-6, at halftime.

“We had all the offense in the world and did everything we were supposed to,” Free State quarterback Ryan Murphy said, “until we got in the red zone and couldn’t finish.”

Most frustrating for Free State was its opening possession following an East three-and-out.

The Firebirds almost effortlessly moved 81 yards on their first nine plays, taking it all the way to the Hawks’ two-yard line.

But on second and goal, Murphy was sacked for an eight-yard loss. After an incomplete pass, the Firebirds had to settle for a field-goal opportunity.

The kick never would make it to the uprights. Olathe East’s Adam Parks busted through the left side and blocked Jason Sneegas’ 26-yard attempt, then alertly scooped it up and raced 80 yards for an uncontested touchdown.

“Everything that could go wrong went wrong when we got inside the 20,” Lisher said. “That’s when we have to finish plays.”

On the third possession, Ryan Murphy connected with receiver Nick Ayre deep down the left sideline. With an unobstructed path, the senior raced to the end zone but unknowingly stepped out of bounds at the 12.

Murphy threw a second apparent touchdown pass to Clark Boatright a few seconds later, but the play was called back because of a holding penalty. An incomplete pass on fourth down ended the threat.

At that point, despite having 150 yards to East’s four and 10 first downs to East’s zero, Free State trailed, 7-0.

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“It’s hard to think you’re driving up and down the field every time, getting to the red zone, and you just can’t get the ball in,” Ryan Murphy said. “It gets frustrating.”

Olathe East finally capitalized on a Demetrius Bell 37-yard touchdown run four minutes later.

Free State put together its only scoring drive late in the half. Murphy found Brett Lisher open on the sideline, and the H-back refused to be denied.

The senior shed would-be tacklers and bulled through the last defender, extending his arm to clip the pylon on a 21-yard scamper and give Free State its only score.

“We competed with them,” Brett Lisher said. “I believe that we should have won that football game.”

Free State reached the Hawks’ 28 on the first possession of the second half but for a third time turned it over on downs.

The Hawks put the game away in the fourth quarter. Derek Miller connected with Anthony Riley for a 63-yard touchdown pass, and Bell added a second TD run from 18 yards out.

The loss overshadowed a career night for quarterback Ryan Murphy, who nearly compiled 300 yards of offense.

The junior completed 18 of 31 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 64 yards on 23 carries.

“Our motto this week just has to be ‘Finish,”’ Murphy said. “When we get in the red zone, we have to score points. If we score points, it’s a completely different ballgame.”