Free State linebacker Colton Berger celebrates a fumble recovery by the Firebirds against Gardner Edgerton during the second quarter on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at Free State High School. (Photo by Nick Krug/Special to the Journal-World)

The Free State High football team officially opens the 2022 season at 7 p.m. Friday night against Olathe West at Firebird Stadium.

After going 8-3 in 2021 and making the sectional round of the Class 6A state playoffs, the Firebirds enter the 2022 season with a relatively new group on both sides of the ball and plenty of excitement.

“It’s been great to get back into football,” FSHS coach Kevin Stewart said. “At this point we’re ready to play a game for sure. They’ve been working hard hitting each other and just getting ready and it will be good to play another team.”

With the departure of several key players from the last year’s squad, including quarterback Jet Dineen and tailback Dash Cleveland, FSHS has a new quarterback under center in junior Wesley Edison.

After serving as the backup to Dineen last season, Edison steps into the starting role looking to lead the Firebirds to another deep postseason run. Friday’s game will mark the first career start for Edison.

“He’s been really improving all summer as a passer,” Stewart said of the 6-foot-3 QB. “He’s not going to be Jet Dineen right out of the gate, but he’s also got a lot of talent and it’s going to be exciting to see him grow this year.”

Senior Calvin Clements, who committed to Baylor this summer, is one of several returning offensive linemen who will look to make life easier for Edison throughout the season.

“Our offensive line looks really good,” Stewart said. “It looks like a team that can definitely compete with anyone. We’ll lean on them early on.”

On defense, senior linebacker Colton Berger returns as the anchor of what the Firebirds are hoping will be a stout and aggressive defense.

Like Free State, Olathe West also returns a core group of its talent from 2021, making the opening night matchup a good early test for the young Firebirds.

“Those guys are going to be pumped up,” Stewart said. “The challenge is going to be how well we compete. So this should be a lot of fun.”