Most high school teams are full steam ahead into their fall schedules, but Free State High’s boys soccer team is still waiting for its first game.

There’s no mistake about it. The Firebirds, who debut on Thursday against Lansing at home, are happy to get extra practice time before their first game.

“Yes we do like that. If nothing else, just being able to put a whole lot more stuff together and try to really clean it up so that when we start playing, we’re not trying to figure it out,” FSHS coach Kelly Barah said. “But right now, I think the boys are ready to go play now.”

It’s also nothing new. Free State didn’t play in its first game last year until Sept. 12. The main emphasis with the extra practice time has been working on keeping the ball for longer possessions and finding scoring chances on runs.

“Practicing our formations, getting to know how each player works and how what they like to do with the ball,” senior Nicholas Larkin said. “It’s pretty important to have pretty good chemistry on the field so you can play as an actual good team.”

By comparison, Lawrence High’s boys soccer team will have two games played by Thursday (would be three if not for a postponement because of weather). Of course, there are a few worries from Free State players about the lack of game experience versus other teams in the early part of the season, but they’re confident that this extra practice time is for the best.
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I’ve never been a huge fan of polls. It’s asking people to rank teams that they probably haven’t seen before, especially when it’s early in the season. However, I won’t blame Free State’s teams if they enjoy them.

Free State’s football team is ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by Kpreps.com after its season-opening victory over Shawnee Mission West, and No. 5 in 6A (and No. 11 overall) by kansasprepfootball.com.

Free State’s girls cross country team is ranked No. 1 in the cross country coaches’ poll, just ahead of Olathe East. Free State’s boys cross country team is ranked No. 4.

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Some quick notes on a number of Lawrence natives:

•Former Free State star quarterback Camren Torneden ran for 130 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries as a running back for Baker University in a 20-12 victory over Ottawa. Former Firebird Keith Loneker Jr. also had five tackles in the game for Baker, including two solo.

•Former Free State girls soccer player Olivia Hodison, who now plays for the University of Missouri-Kansas City, registered an assist for her first collegiate point on Friday. It came on a cross, which was scored by a one-timer. Hodison also earned a start on Sunday.

•Former Lawrence High volleyball player Caitlin Broadwell made her collegiate debut for Nebraska Kearney. She had 3 kills against Newman University on Friday.

•Another former Free State girls soccer player, Jessica Ferguson scored 2 goals and added an assist in just 35 minutes of playing time against Chattanooga on Aug. 31. She also had an assist on Monday.

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As always, feel free to comment, email me, or find me on Twitter @nightengalejr.