Free State midfielder Andrew Heck controlled the pace of the game Saturday and had a part in six of Free State’s 10 goals in its 10-0 victory over Junction City.

Heck distributed the ball well, assisting on five goals and scoring another.

“I was trying to do the best job I could,” Heck said. “Passing lanes were open, and I just found it.”

Heck, a junior, is finally stepping into the role that coach Jason Pendleton thought he would when he placed Heck on the varsity as a freshman.

“He has been dominating, not just against Junction City, but against really good teams,” Pendleton said. “He is playing extremely well and is really stepping up. He is our most gifted player in terms of his technical ability. He is beginning to take over the leadership role of being our quarterback on the field.”

Junior forward Alex Clayton scored first for the Firebirds, one of his four goals.

Free State High's Kyle Ceesay, left, forces the ball away from the Junction City defense. The Firebirds shut out Junction City, 10-0, Saturday at Free State.

He used his speed to get past the Junction City defenders.

“We just came out full of intensity and executed pretty much even when we didn’t have as many people on the field,” Heck said. “We kept the pressure on them and played as a team.”

Free State continued the possession of the ball, even when it was down to nine men because of the score.

Junction City was unable to penetrate the Free State defense with any consistency in a game that was called 15 minutes early after Free State scored its final goal.

Despite the lopsided score, Pendleton was not completely satisfied with the result.

“The game plan was to play the ball wide and serve balls in,” Pendleton said. “That was why we were a little frustrated.”

Free State will face Topeka High on Tuesday in a rematch of last years state playoff game, which the Firebirds won on penalty kicks.

“We are looking to try to use this game as a conduit to get better toward other games down the road,” Pendleton said.