photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Former Lawrence High coach Dirk Wedd gathers with his family during the hall of fame ceremony of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association All-Star Game on Thursday at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe.

A trademark of so many Bob Lisher-coached Free State High football teams were the hard-hitting defenses.

Those who attended the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association All-Star Game on Thursday at the College Boulevard Activity Center got to see some of those bone-jarring hits firsthand, along with getting a glimpse of the all-around talent in the Lawrence area.

Free State alumnus and Baker freshman Shane Skwarlo gave the Kansas All-Stars their first lead of the game after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and they never looked back as they upended the Missouri All-Stars, 35-21.

“That big special teams touchdown and then the defensive touchdown picked our offense up and gave us that momentum for the second half,” Skwarlo, who recorded 1.5 tackles, said. “We just ran with it for the rest of the game.”

Skwarlo and fellow former Firebirds Matt Georgie, Jalen Nash, LJ Mack and Kameron Lake were joined by Lawrence High products EJ Jewsome and Eric Galbreath and the ex-Baldwin High standouts Cy Hockey and Zach Flowers in helping the Kansas All-Stars to their second straight victory over the Missouri All-Stars. The Kansas All-Stars found themselves in a 14-0 hole before scoring 21 unanswered points in the final 2:02 of the half.

Along with putting on his Free State helmet one last time, Skwarlo was honored to play one more game for Lisher, who was inducted into the GKCFCA Hall of Fame at halftime.

“I’ve had a lot of good people in my life–great players, great coaches, great role models with my dad, my brother and my father-in-law,” Lisher said. “I had a lot of good people around me who showed me the way.”

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Accompanied by his family, Former Free State football coach Bob Lisher accepts his Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame plaque at halftime of the GKCFCA All-Star Game on Thursday at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe.

Jewsome and Galbreath also had the opportunity to catch up with one of their former coaches. Former Lawrence High coach Dirk Wedd joined Lisher as part of the nine-member hall of fame class.

“I’m so happy for him. He’s one of my favorite coaches that I’ve ever had,” Jewsome said. “Words can’t describe my love for that man.”

The last play of the game was particularly special for Jewsome. He recorded a sack after Galbreath put the initial pressure on the quarterback.

All nine Lawrence area players will continue their football careers at the collegiate level in the Sunflower State. Flowers, Hockey, Nash and Skwarlo will play for former Lawrence High and Kansas standout Jason Thoren at Baker. Mack will also play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference as he heads to MidAmerica Nazarene. Georgie (Pittsburg State University), Lake (Washburn), and Galbreath (Emporia State) will cross paths in the MIAA, while Jewsome will start his collegiate career at Butler County.

“Getting that early bond on the field, it’s really special,” said Skwarlo about becoming close with his Baker teammates. “I’m moving forward now and looking forward to the future.

Score by quarters

Kansas All-Stars 0 21 14 0 — 35

Missouri All-Stars 7 7 0 7 — 21

HOW THEY SCORED

First quarter

8:16 — Jonas Bennett 3 run. Gaven Frizzle kick (Missouri 7, Kansas 0.)

Second quarter

8:47 — Shaun Ross 10 run. Frizzle kick. (Missouri 14, Kansas 0.)

2:02 — Tate Raboin 3 run. Kameron Lake kick. (Missouri 14, Kansas 7.)

1:42 — Christian Roth recovered blocked punt. Lake kick. (Kansas 14, Missouri 14.)

0:38 — Shane Skwarlo recovered fumble. Lake kick. (Kansas 21, Missouri 14.)

Third quarter

2:12 — Billy Conaway 4 run. Lake kick. (Kansas 28, Missouri 14.)

0:24 — Logan Talley 47 yard pass from Tate Raboin. Lake kick. (Kansas 35, Missouri 14.)

Fourth quarter

1:52 — Harold Trainer 57 yard pass from Kellen Simoncic. Frizzle kick. (Kansas 35, Missouri 21.)