Topeka ? After Free State High scored a touchdown on its opening possession, Washburn Rural looked to make a statement on its home field. On a fourth-and-two from midfield, the Junior Blues went for the first down. After all, what did Washburn Rural (1-8) have to lose against Free State (9-0)?

Free State linebacker Jimmy Bruce also looked to make a statement Friday night. He read the play perfectly and delivered a helmet-popping tackle on Washburn Rural quarterback Jordan Ochsner. If not for Bruce, Ochsner easily had adequate yardage to move the chains. After a measurement, the referees knelt down like the football was under a microscope to see if Washburn Rural had enough yards. The Blues missed the first down by centimeters.

Talk about a momentum swing that lasted the entire game – Free State defeated Washburn Rural, 47-0.

“I just made sure where I was supposed to be,” Bruce said. “It was wide-open. Kyle (Weinmaster) was doing his job, and I just went in for the tackle. It was big.”

Not only was it a big play, but it fueled Free State’s energy throughout the game. Here are some words for thought: After Bruce’s fourth-down stop, Free State scored touchdowns on its next six possessions. The Firebirds punted once during the game, in the fourth quarter.

Much of the offensive firepower came from senior quarterback Ryan Murphy. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder put the ball in the air more than usual. Murphy had 169 yards passing in the first half. He finished the game as the offensive x-factor he’s been all year. Murphy accounted for four touchdowns – two in the air and two on the ground.

“I was pleased with the offense, especially with the field conditions,” Murphy said. “It was kind of sloppy, so it was hard to move around. In the middle of the field with the swampy mud, it’s hard to cut. You can’t really do a whole lot of shakin’ out there.”

Realistically, Free State didn’t need to make highlight-reel moves or shake defenders out of their shoes. The Firebirds had a balanced attack of 451 yards of total offense. They passed when needed, while also controlling the clock with the ground attack. Coach Bob Lisher utilized running back Brian Murphy as his workhorse. The senior carried the ball 21 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

While the offense was productive, the defense might have been better. The Firebirds forced five turnovers. The unit picked off Ochsner three times and took away two fumbles.

“This defense is probably the best it’s been in a while,” Bruce said. “We’re mainly senior-based, so it helps with our experience.”

The Firebirds pitched their third shutout of the season.

With the victory, Free State finishes the regular season unbeaten for the first time in its 10 years of existence. Since the two Lawrence high schools split, it’s the first time a Lawrence school has gone undefeated and won the Sunflower League, athletics director Steve Grant said.

“It’s been a slow process,” said Lisher, who has coached the Firebirds all 10 years. “It means a lot, not only for these kids, but for the guys who wore that uniform for the previous nine years. Our guys have done everything we’ve asked them to do so far, and I expect them to do the same as we go into the playoffs.”

Tentatively, Free State will face Shawnee Mission East next Friday in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Should Free State win, it would play the winner of Olathe East-Olathe South.

Free State didn’t face SM East in the regular season.