Firebirds reclaim city bragging rights with 28-14 win over LHS
http://www2.ljworld.com/videos/2012/oct/23/35710/
11:04 p.m. Update: Final Game Stats
FSHS LHS
First downs 13 10
Rushes-yards 45-100 24-44
Passing yards 209 192
Total offense 309 236
Return yards 28 78
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 6-40 5-25
Score by quarters
FSHS 0 7 7 14 — 28
LHS 6 0 8 0 — 14
Individual statistics
Rushing
FSHS: Kyle McFarland 23-57, Joe Dineen 17-40 TD, TJ Cobbs 3-5, Team 2-minus-2.
LHS: Brad Strauss 17-35, Tyrone Jenkins 7-9.
Passing
FSHS: McFarland 15-21-209 2 TDs 2 interceptions.
LHS: Strauss 18-35-192 2 TDs interception.
Receiving
FSHS: Blake Winslow 2-67, Tye Hughes 4-51 TD, Dineen 2-38, Chris Heller 3-24, Khadre Lane 1-15, Keith Loneker 1-6, Zach Bickling 2-8 TD.
LHS: Will Thompson 6-132 TD, Erick Mayo 6-32 TD, Drake Hofer 2-16, Jenkins 1-2, Josh Seybert 2-1, Strauss 1-minus-1.
HOW THEY SCORED
First quarter
6:29 — Erick Mayo 9 pass from Brad Strauss. Mayo run failed. (LHS 6, FSHS 0.)
Second quarter
0:36 — Joe Dineen 1 run. Antonio Schnoneich kick. (FSHS 7, LHS 6.)
Third quarter
7:46 — Tye Hughes 15 pass from Kyle McFarland. Schnoneich kick. (FSHS 14, LHS 6.)
2:43 — Will Thompson 19 pass from Strauss. Strauss run. (LHS 14, FSHS 14.)
Fourth quarter
11:17 — Zach Bickling 3 pass from McFarland. Schnoneich kick. (FSHS 21, LHS 14.)
5:52 — Cody Stanclift 7 interception return. Schnoneich kick. (FSHS 28, LHS 14.)
FINAL: FSHS 28, LHS 14
Free State High improved to 8-1 and won the district title with a 28-14 victory at LHS Friday night.
After the Lions controlled most of the first half Free State took a 7-6 lead into the locker room after a TD run by Joe Dineen in the final seconds of the first half.
FSHS went up 14-6 early in the third but the Lions tied things at 14 before watching FSHS score the final 14 points of the game and the crosstown fans storm the field when the final horn sounded.
Free State likely earned a high seed in the state playoffs and will host the opening round. LHS (7-2) will play its first-round playoff game on the road.
Stay tuned for more from the game and for complete coverage check out Saturday’s Journal-World
9:26 pm update — FSHS 28, LHS 14, 2:30 4Q
Free State holds on 4th and 18 for LHS when a pass to Erick Mayo in the end zone was completed but Mayo’s feet came down out of bounds.
The Firebirds were attempting to run out the clock but fumbled and LHS recovered at the FSHS 17 with 1:54 remaining. On the first play, however, LHS fumbled and the Firebirds took over with 1:49 to play.
9:13 pm update — FSHS 28, LHS 14, 5:51 4Q
During a night full of big plays, FSHS D-Lineman Cody Stanclift just made one of the biggest, batting a pass from LHS QB Brad Strauss into the air and then catching it and returning it for a TD and a two-score lead.
9:02 pm update — FSHS 21, LHS 14, 11:17 4Q
Free State jumped right back on top with a short TD pass from Kyle McFarland to Zach Bickling.
The big play on the drive was a pass from McFarland to Blake Winslow on a busted play on 3rd and 10.
8:52 pm update — FSHS 14, LHS 14, 2:43 3Q
LHS responded with a 19-yard TD pass from Brad Strauss to Will Thompson. Strauss followed with a two-point conversion run to tie the game.
This one has turned into a classic and looks destined to come down to the wire.
Free State ball at the FS 40, 2:30 to play in the third.
8:45 pm update — FSHS 14, LHS 6, 6:36 3Q
A huge run by LHS’s Will Thompson that set the Lions up with a first and goal from the three went for nothing as the FSHS D held.
The Lions responded with a three and out and LHS takes over at the FSHS 28 with 5:21 to play in the third.
8:40 pm Update — FSHS 14, LHS 6, 7:46 3Q
After an apparent interception by LHS’s Will Thompson was overturned because of a penalty, the Firebirds tacked on their second TD when McFarland hit Ty Hughes on a rollout pass.
McFarland kept the drive alive with a big run on 4th and 14.
8:26 pm update — FSHS 7, LHS 6, 10:39 3Q
Second half is under way. LHS goes three and out to open the 3rd quarter and Free State takes over in LHS territory.
— HALFTIME —
7:59 pm Update — FSHS 7, LHS 6
The Firebirds jumped on top with a Joe Dineen TD late in the half which capped a drive that began at the FSHS 27 and came one possession after QB Kyle McFarland tossed an interception.
Yards have been tough to come by in the first half as both teams have faced several third and longs.
LHS kicked off to start the game and should receive the kickoff to open the third quarter.
7:47 pm Update — LHS 6, FSHS O, 2nd Quarter
LHS turned away the Firebirds’ best offensive threat of the first half when Erick Mayo intercepted a pass from Kyle McFarland a few plays after a nice gain on a reception by Joe Dineen.
LHS went three and out on the ensuing possession and Free State takes over at its own 27 with 3:00 to play in the half.
7:30 pm Update — LHS 6, FSHS 0, End 1st Quarter
LHS takes the lead into the 2nd Quarter where FSHS faced a 4th & 9 from the LHS 28 to start the second.
After jumping offsides on the first snap, LHS held on 4th and 4 and takes over at it’s own 25.
7:17 pm Update — LHS 6, FSHS 0, 1Q
The Lions take the early lead on a 9-yard TD pass from Brad Strauss to WR Erick Mayo. The two point attempt failed and FSHS takes over at its own 35-yard line with 6:16 to play in the first quarter.
7:08 pm Update — 0-0 1st Quarter
We’re underway here at LHS and the Lions held Free State to a three-and-out and a punt on the first possession.
LHS is threatening after a big run by QB Brad Strauss and a late hit penalty on the Firebirds.
Original post 6:03 p.m.
If you don’t know what’s at stake tonight on the local high school football scene, then you just haven’t been paying attention.
In a little less than an hour, 7-1 Lawrence High will play host to 7-1 Free State in what many have called the most meaningful city showdown since the split brought two high schools to Lawrence in 1997.
There have been big games, big beatdowns and big moments in the 15 games (Free State leads the all-time series 8-7) that preceded tonight’s. But none of those match-ups featured two teams with as much talent as the two we’ll see tonight.
Both are ranked in the Top 5 of the Class 6A football polls — Free State second and LHS fifth — and both are vying for a district champioinship trophy to add to their trophy case. Sure, the trophy would be nice, but both teams have much bigger goals than a district title and the winner could be in line for the top seed in the 6A state playoffs.
The Lions are riding a seven-game winning streak and feature an explosive spread-style offense led by quarterback Brad Strauss and a host of sure-handed and lightning quick receivers. LHS’s only loss came in the opener against Shawnee Mission West
Free State enters on a five-game winning streak and is led by a nasty defense and an offense that’s full of playmakers and just as tough. Free State’s lone loss came at home on Sept. 14 to Olathe South.
Coincidentally, the Firebirds beat the one team that topped LHS and the Lions knocked off O-South.
School officials are expecting a record crowd and LHS has placed additional bleachers in the north end zone for the big game.
In case you couldn’t make it to the game or are just looking for something to do to kill the time while you wait for kickoff, here’s a look back at our coverage from one of the most-hyped week’s of high school football in city history.
In case you missed it, be sure to check out our Monday-Night-Football-style video of the starting lineups at the top of the page.
We’ll be posting scoring updates after every quarter and throughout the game, so be sure to check back often if you’re trying to track this thing from anywhere other than 19th and Louisiana.
Enjoy.
Tuesday:
Benton Smith set the scene for what’s at stake with this piece.
Here’s Tom Keegan’s look at high-energy anchor Kharon Brown, a senior at LHS.
Benton Smith added this look at Free State force Cody Stanclift.
Thursday:
Here’s Benton Smith’s story on LHS senior Will Thompson.
And there was also this story on Free State linebacker Corban Schmidt.
Friday:
Tom Keegan wrote this gem about brothers who play for opposite teams.