Free State High’s football team picked up a victory over Shawnee Mission West last week but also had a big loss.

The Firebirds will likely be without junior linebacker and running back Sam Skwarlo for the remainder of the season after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during the game Thursday.

Skwarlo is seeking a second opinion from a foot specialist today but will be out at least six to eight weeks, and it could be extended to four to six months if his injury requires surgery.

“I think I was trying to plant on it, and someone just stepped on it,” said Skwarlo, who was cutting back inside on a run play to the outside when he felt the injury.

Despite the pain, Skwarlo took another carry on the next play and realized he couldn’t run with his normal explosiveness. Yet, he continued to play on defense and finished out the game.

“On offense, I couldn’t really run, so I couldn’t really play. But I did all right on defense,” Skwarlo said. “I just had to contain my guy.”

The Lisfranc injury, which is torn ligaments that support the midfoot, had Skwarlo in a walking boot Monday. He led the team in tackles and also rushed for 28 yards on seven attempts.

“It’s very difficult. We started out young and inexperienced at the linebacker position anyway,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “Losing Sam makes a big difference, but it’s a team game. Somebody is going to have to step in and do the deal.”

Though Skwarlo probably won’t step on the field again this season, he wants to have an active role from the sideline.

“I definitely don’t want to just be a sour grape about it,” Skwarlo said. “Just be like, ‘Oh, I’m out, I don’t need to come to practice.’ I still need to go to practice every day and try to be like what Fred Wyatt was last year and motivate the team and still be a part of all of this.”

City tennis

Lawrence High’s girls tennis team was without its top two singles players at its season-opening quad at Leavenworth, but it didn’t affect anyone else’s play.

The Lions went 3-0 as a team, led by Lauren Schulteis, who went 2-0 at No. 2 singles. Natalie Cote and Erin Ventura also won three matches in doubles.

“To see some of the younger girls step up and get some match experience, and the way our doubles played, I was very pleased,” LHS coach Chris Marshall said.

Caroline Baloga and Kendall Pritchard, who missed the quadrangular, are expected to return to the lineup this week.

Meanwhile, Free State’s girls tennis team went 2-0-1 at the Junction City quad.

Junior Caitlin Dodd and freshman Ali Dodd won all three of their matches at No. 1 doubles, while sophomore Andrea Chen and Natalie Myers went 3-0 at No. 2 doubles.

“It was a good beginning of the year for us because Junction City and Manhattan are teams you see at state,” FSHS coach Oather Strawderman said. “That competition is teams we should beat, and we did a good job.”

Both schools will play in the Lawrence quad at 3 p.m. today at LHS.

LHS volleyball

Lawrence High’s volleyball players are happy with the progress they’ve been making despite an 2-6 record to start the season.

“I feel that every single time we play, we just keep getting better,” senior right side hitter Makayla Wagner said. “Once we got through a whole tournament, we were closer as a team. We started connecting with our setters really well.”

The Lions didn’t have much practice time before the season because of week-long tryouts, and the players are still working to adjust their playing styles and calls after playing on different club teams over the summer.

“We have come a long way in just a week,” coach Stephanie Magnuson said. “We started the season with some very difficult competition so that’s forced us to accelerate our learning curve and the girls have responded very well to it.”

The Lions will head to the Washburn Rural quad at 5 tonight.

LHS soccer update

The makeup game supposed to be played Thursday between Lawrence High’s boys soccer team and Manhattan is rescheduled for 11 a.m. on Sept. 20 at LHS because Manhattan had a conflict with transportation.