photo by: Nick Krug

Free State High School senior fall sports athletes, from left, Anne Goebel, golf; Andrea Chen, tennis; Zion Bowlin, football; Payton Gannaway, volleyball; Francisco Flores, soccer; Emily Venters, cross country; and Landon Prideaux, gymnastics.

Fall sports are underway at Free State High after the girls golf team opened its season on Wednesday.

Nearly all of the other teams will begin in the next week, including some with strong state title aspirations. Here is a look at what all of the Firebirds’ programs expect out of the upcoming season:

Football

After back-to-back trips to the Class 6A state semifinals, Free State football players are confident there won’t be any steps backward.

Looking to play in their first state title game since 2008, the Firebirds boast a strong mix of veterans and talented newcomers.

Some of the returners include linebacker/offensive lineman Jay Dineen, a Kansas commit, free safety/running back Zion Bowlin, receiver/defensive back Zack Sanders, tight end/defensive tackle Noah Kema, receiver Daniel Bryant, linebacker Drew Wise, defensive back Gabe Del Valle, kicker Kameron Lake and linemen Chase Houk, Sam Hambleton, Jacob Purcell and Reese Todd.

The Firebirds will turn to senior Dallas Crittenden, a transfer from Topeka Hayden, at quarterback and hope for big seasons from running back/linebacker Gage Foster, linebacker David Johnson and linemen Nathan Spain, Nick Eddis, Spencer Roe and Nico Guier.

“We have some good experience returning and some depth,” coach Bob Lisher said. “We need to stay healthy and work to improve each day.”

The Firebirds will open the season against Shawnee Mission West at 7 p.m. Friday at FSHS.

Volleyball

Free State’s volleyball team hasn’t reached the 6A state tournament since 2004, but the Firebirds have the firepower and depth to change that this season.

The Firebirds, ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll, bring back a large portion of their team from last year.

“We have lots of experience and a talented, committed group of players,” second-year coach Amy Hoffsommer said. “We plan to build upon the success of last year.”

The Firebirds will be led by senior middle hitters Naomi Hickman, a Creighton commit, and Natalie Clarke, and outside hitters Payton Gannaway and Rachel Hickman.

What will be the biggest challenge for the Firebirds?

“Getting rid of fears, competing with confidence,” Hoffsommer said.

Free State will play in the Topeka Seaman triangular at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Cross Country

With a young lineup last season, Free State’s girls cross country runners surprised plenty of people when they finished second at the 6A state meet.

The Firebirds are expected to remain as one of the teams in the state, returning most of their top runners including two-time state champion Emily Venters, Kiran Cordes, Julia Larkin, Emma Hertig, Kate Odgers, Abigail Zenger and Reagan Sullivan.

For the boys team, there’s plenty of potential with returners Avant Edwards, Jared Hicks, Will Benkelman, Calvin Yost-Wolff and Grant Alexander Holmes. The Firebirds are hoping to receive strong contributions from Landon Sloan and Aidan Goetz.

“Last year underclassmen helped team to a sixth place finish at state,” coach Steve Heffernan said of the boys’ team, “now they are a year older and in much better shape than a year ago.”

The Firebirds will run in the Olathe East Invitational on Thursday.

Girls tennis

Free State’s girls tennis players changed coaches about a week before the season started, but they are confident they can pick up where they left off last year.

First-year coach Michael Trujillo, who was an assistant last season, will have plenty of options to fill out his varsity lineup. That includes sophomore Kate Piper in singles and junior Ali Dodd and senior Andrea Chen in doubles.

Dodd and Chen both qualified for state on separate doubles teams last year.

The Firebirds also expect big senior seasons from Carter Stacey, Klaire Sarver and Katelyn Hess.

“We have a strong sense of teamwork and sportsmanship,” Trujillo said. “There a lot of returning and experienced players.”

The season begins with the Olathe East quadrangular on Thursday.

Boys soccer

During the summer, seventh-year Free State boys soccer coach Kelly Barah said 10 wins is now the benchmark for the program.

After posting an 11-6-1 record last year, the most wins in a season since 2009, the Firebirds are confident they can repeat their success.

The Firebirds have plenty of confidence in returners Toufik Ahmmed, Francisco Flores, Rowan Laufer, Jonathan Lesslie, Cooper Moreano, Heitor Nazareth, Charlie Newsome and Branden Patterson, among others.

What makes this group of players stand out?

“Amazing camaraderie and attention to detail,” Barah said.

The Firebirds will face Lansing in their season opener on Sept. 8 at FSHS.

Girls golf

After finishing last season with only two varsity golfers, fourth-year coach Layne Meyer expects the Firebirds to have a full varsity team for tournaments this year.

Senior Anne Goebel and junior Tori Hoopingarner return from last year, when they both qualified for the 6A state tournament.

FSHS seniors Claire Yackley and Macie Reeb are expected to contribute at the varsity level throughout the year after they competed in the Mill Valley Classic earlier this week. Hoopingarner tied for 17th place in the tournament.

The Firebirds will compete in the first leg of the Sunflower League tournament at 1 p.m. Monday at Lake Quivira.

Gymnastics

After winning three state championships in a four-year stretch, Free State’s gymnastics program didn’t have enough members to fill out a varsity lineup last year.

The Firebirds won’t have that problem this season.

“Every four years we have the Olympics and every four years everybody realizes that high school has gymnastics and they come out, which is awesome,” coach Brooke Kissinger said.

The Firebirds return senior Landon Prideaux at the varsity level and have 13 gymnasts this season, including seniors Brooke Culbertson and Kari Keating.

Free State starts the season at the Lawrence High quadrangular on Sept. 7.