Free State ekes out ugly win

A botched snap, dropped passes, two turnovers and porous pass defense. During the first half of its game against Shawnee Mission North, Free State High looked nothing like a football team with state title aspirations.

“We really did not come out focused in the first half,” quarterback Ryan Murphy said. “There really weren’t any adjustments to make. We just had to get more intensity and come out and play hard.”

Touchdowns from Christian Ballard and Brian and Ryan Murphy, however, fueled the 20-14 Firebirds win after their scoreless first half.

Even with the big plays from the D-I bound stars, the game was tied at 14 late in the fourth quarter. Starting at its own 19-yard-line, Free State (3-0) used some nifty runs from the Murphy twins and benefited from some SMN penalties to march into SMN territory.

A pass interference penalty netted an 18-yard gain and sent the Indians coaching staff into histrionics. One coach yelled “home cooking” as he left the press box. Bob Lisher, however, agreed with the officials’ call.

“They called it. So it had to be pass interference,” Lisher said. “They’re not wrong – those guys.”

Brian Murphy, who had rushing yards on the day, ran for 31 yards four plays later. He also ran in the score from less than one yard out with two minutes to go. Free State missed the extra point, giving North one last chance.

But defensive lineman Kyle Weinmaster dropped Edward Shields for a three-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 play to seal the Free State victory.

“I have to give all the props to Kyle Weinmaster,” senior Christian Ballard said. “He came up with the biggest defensive play I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Such big plays were absent in the first half. Ballard, SI.com’s best Kansas high school football player, dropped three passes. Ryan Murphy threw an interception on the Firebirds’ first drive. On its next drive, Free State fumbled on the quarterback snap. At the beginning of the second half, a throw from wide receiver Marcus Mau fooled the Firebirds, and Landon Murrell burned the defense for a 51-yard score.

Lisher admonished his team during halftime.

“I told them Shawnee Mission came to play, and we didn’t,” Lisher said. “They played harder than us. They outcoached us.”

Murrell, though, also played a role. The 6-0, 155-pound senior wide receiver finished with for .

“He’s a great wide receiver,” Ryan Murphy said.

On the first play of the second half, Free State showed they had offensive firepower as well. Ballard received some redemption, hauling in a Ryan Murphy pass for an 88-yard score. Ballard said he did not look the ball in during the first half.

“That can’t happen,” Ballard said he told himself. “‘You’re supposed one of the best players in state. You need to pick it up.'”

The entire team picked it up, and Free State took the lead later in the third quarter when Ryan Murphy faked a handoff to his brother, cut back and then streaked down the sideline for 74 yards to stake a 14-7 lead.

“We really needed a touchdown there,” Ryan Murphy said. “So that was huge.”

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, SMN (1-2) tied the game for the last time when quarterback Kevin Lee connected with Aaron Sawyer for a 15-yard score.

The Free State defense allowed yards, which is just one thing it will have to work on during practice. But Lisher remained confident that Saturday morning’s film review will put his undefeated team back on track for next week’s game versus Olathe South.

“We’ll get their minds right tomorrow morning,” Lisher said. “They’ll see the mistakes, and we’ll correct them.”