Free State's fall sports senior athletes, from left, Bryce Torneden, football; Grace Bradshaw, cross country; Jordan Patrick soccer; Ethan Donley, cross country; Erin Friedrichsen, volleyball; Caitlin Dodd, tennis; Anne Goebel, golf.

After a week of practices, Free State High fall-sports teams are quickly gearing up for the start of their seasons.

The Firebirds’ girls golf team will open Wednesday, and the rest of the teams will start in the beginning of September.

Here is a look at what all of the Firebirds’ programs expect out of the upcoming season:

Football

After earning a spot in the Class 6A state semifinals last season, Free State’s football team returns a lot of talent and has the pieces to make another deep run in the postseason.

The Firebirds are led on offense by a strong group of seniors: quarterback Bryce Torneden, a North Dakota State commit, running back Sam Skwarlo, tight end Darian Lewis, receivers Drew Tochtrop and Logan McKinney; and junior receiver Zack Sanders.

The biggest key will be rebuilding the offensive line with juniors and sophomores. Senior Tanner Liba is the only returning starter.

On defense, a number of Firebirds gained extra experience when the team was hit by injuries last year. They are led by Lewis and Jalen Galloway on the defensive line, Skwarlo, Tochtrop, Paul Bittinger and Jay Dineen at linebacker, and Sanders, McKinney, Torneden and Zion Bowlin in the secondary.

“We return a lot of experience and athleticism on both sides of the ball,” 19th-year coach Bob Lisher said. “We need to gain experience quickly on both the offensive line and defensive line.”

The Firebirds had one of the toughest schedules in the state last year, and it didn’t get any easier starting with a home game against Shawnee Mission West at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4.

Cross Country

Free State’s girls cross country team was dominant throughout last season, and the Firebirds show no signs of stopping this year.

They won Sunflower League and regional titles last year, finished second at state and return a strong core of runners led by two-time state champion Emily Venters, senior Claire Sanner, senior Liv Lyche and junior Kiran Cordes.

They also hope to get a boost from Emma Hertig and Taylor Mosher.

The boys’ team won its first league title last year and finished fourth at state, but lost a talented group of seniors. However, seniors Ethan Donley and Tanner Hockenbury hope their leadership can keep the Firebirds from taking any steps backwards. They also hope to pick up contributions from Calvin Yost-Wolff, Eli Jost, Jared Hicks and Avant Edwards.

“We have over 100 kids out now, and it will be a season of firsts for many of them,” coach Steve Heffernan said. “We have a good chance to be very competitive at all levels.”

Free State starts the season in the Olathe East Invitational at 4 p.m. on Sept. 3.

Girls tennis

First-year girls tennis coach Keith Pipkin has high expectations for his team this season.

Free State will be led in doubles by senior Caitlin Dodd and her sophomore sister Ali Dodd. They combined to take second place at regionals last year, earning a spot in the state tournament.

Senior Rachel Walter finished 12th at state with her graduated doubles partner, while juniors Natalie Myers and Andrea Chen also return from last year.

“We have five returning varsity players who are only going to be better than last year,” Pipkin said. “Not only that, but we have a large freshman class coming in, which is really going to make the returning players compete hard to keep their spots.”

The Firebirds open play on Sept. 3.

Boys soccer

Free State’s boys soccer team enters this year with high expectations with plenty of depth and a lot of firepower.

The Firebirds have 12 returners from last year’s 9-8-1 team, including Central Arkansas commit Will Laufer, seniors Jordan Patrick, Eduardo Carballido, Israel Lumpkins, Aric Trent and Ernesto Hodison. They also have solid speed with juniors Toufik Ahmmed and Heitor Nazareth.

What makes this group of players stand out?

“Genuine learners and students of the game,” sixth-year coach Kelly Barah said. “A willingness to fail and thus improve from there.”

The season starts on Sept. 10 against Lansing.

Girls golf

Last year was a banner year for Free State’s girls golf team, finishing third in the Sunflower League and 10th at state.

Now the Firebirds and third-year coach Layne Meyer are looking at a rebuilding season. Participation numbers plunged from recent years, and they might not fill out an entire varsity lineup at all of their regular-season meets.

Junior Anne Goebel is the only varsity returner. She tied for 80th place at the state meet last season.

The Firebirds will begin Wednesday in the Mill Valley Invitational at Alvamar.

Gymnastics

Free State’s gymnastics team has won state championships in three of the past four years, but the Firebirds will have an uphill climb this season.

After graduating three seniors and losing Callie Hicks, who is training year-round in the pole vault for track, the Firebirds are left with only two members from last year’s team: seniors Landon Prideaux and Becca Moran.

Yasmine Jakmouj is expected to contribute, while third-year coach Brooke Kissinger is hoping to add a few more members to the squad before the season begins.

Free State opens in the Shawnee Mission West quadrangular on Sept. 9.

Volleyball

Free State’s volleyball team has a new coach but plenty of familiar faces from last year’s team, which finished with a 19-19 record.

Returners include senior libero Erin Friedrichsen, senior setter/libero Lauren Johnson, senior outside hitter Allie Knapp, along with juniors Emma Barberena, Payton Gannaway and Naomi Hickman.

First-year coach Amy Hoffsommer also hopes to get big contributions from senior Rebekah Andersson, juniors Jennalee Dickson, Larissa Gaumer, Natalie Clarke and freshman Rachel Hickman.

Free State will open at home in a triangular against Lansing and Topeka Seaman on Sept. 3.