photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State's Landon Leipold (left) and Parker Moore celebrate after Moore scored a touchdown during the playoff game against Olathe West on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

Fourth-seeded Free State football (6-3) opened its playoff run with an offensive explosion, scoring a season-high 49 points on its way to a 49-26 home victory over 12th-seeded Olathe West on Friday night.

The key for the week was being able to eliminate negative plays, and put the defense in low-stress situations. Free State did just that, as the offense did much more than the job needed to come away with the victory.

“They played really good,” head coach Kevin Stewart said of his offense. “The offensive line did a good job of protecting Boston (Baker), but also, on our run game. Our offensive coordinator, coach Brown, did a really nice job moving the ball and getting it spread out, and making the whole field available.”

The Firebirds have been delighted with the return of Baker at quarterback, not just with his play on the field, but his leadership as well.

“Having Boston back there just settles everybody in, because he knows what we’re doing. He knows exactly what we want, when we want it,” Stewart said.

With an injury to Noah Simpson, it was a little bit uncertain which running back would step up, but everyone who got a carry seemed to make a play, including Ryan Weishaar. Weishaar himself has dealt with injuries at times, but nothing phased him as he took 15 carries for 112 yards in the win.

“He knows our plays, he knows the offense, he knows the holes,” Stewart said on the importance of having Weishaar in the backfield. “He runs the ball well, doesn’t maybe have the spark that (Noah) Simpson does, but he knows the plays and runs it hard. And he’s a good blocker, too. So all those things, it’s definitely needed to have him in there.”

In total, Free State finished with six touchdowns on the ground with 228 yards from six different ball carriers.

Free State displayed a balanced offense in the first half, as Baker threw for 176 yards and one touchdown, and Free State as a team ran for 91 yards and four touchdowns.

After a 30-yard kick return by Bralin Preston, the Firebirds marched 56 yards down the field, resulting in a Crow Bengoa touchdown from one yard out.

Olathe West was silenced on its first drive, as after a promising 8-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, Free State’s defense forced a three-and-out, giving the ball back to the offense.

With the chance to take a two-score lead, the Firebirds did just that, putting together an eight-play, 68-yard drive. Preston was impressive on the drive, completing two catches for 34 yards, and capped off the series with a 13-yard touchdown on an end-around run.

Free State’s defense forced another three-and-out, and the offense wasted no time extending the lead. In fact, the drive took just eight seconds after a shanked punt, as Baker found Maddon Brittingham for a 33-yard touchdown pass on the first and only play.

The Owls relied on their rush-heavy offense, picking up 37 yards on seven carries in the ensuing drive. It was the pass game, however, that got the Owls on the board when Cameron Kruse hit Eli Ables out of the backfield for a 7-yard touchdown.

Baker opened the next drive with two 5-yard passes, picking up a first down. After two straight incompletions, he found Brittingham for a 15-yard first gain. Weishaar pushed up the middle for 13 more yards, then after another first down, Parker Moore rushed for an 11-yard touchdown out of the wildcat formation.

After a long scoring drive to get on the board, Olathe West needed just four plays to come up with a response. Kruse connected with Ables on a 35-yard reception, then the Owls called up a flea flicker and Kruse fired a 39-yard pass to Sam Krzykowski to make the Free State lead 28-13 after a blocked extra point.

With just 1:21 left in the half, Free State reached the end zone for the fifth time in five drives. Baker passed to Brittingham and Weishaar for gains of 21 yards and 16 yards separately, then Moore, out of the wildcat formation again, rushed for his second touchdown of the half to push the lead to 22 at halftime.

Out of the half, the Owls put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a Josh Foland 8-yard reception to pull within 16 to open the half.

Neither team was able to score for the rest of the quarter, as drives by both teams stalled out.

A 23-yard run by Weishaar set up Moore for his third touchdown of the night, a 17-yard run to put the Firebirds up 42-19.

Moore was a positive on both sides, as he caused a sack on Olathe West’s first play from scrimmage, leading to a three-and-out for the Free State defense. Moore also got his hands on a pass breakup to turn the Owls over on fourth down before his third touchdown.

“At the end of the day, whatever gets the win,” Moore said on playing both sides of the ball. “I love these guys, I’d do anything for them.”

The Firebirds turned to a run-heavy offense to kill the clock, as Weishaar took four rushes for 23 yards, setting up an 8-yard run for Finn Moore for their final score of the night.

Olathe West needed just four run plays to cover 65 yards for the final score of the night, but Free State picked up two first downs and kneeled out the rest of the clock to advance to the regional round.

The Firebirds will be on the road next week, visiting fourth-seeded Blue Valley Northwest, but getting one more win at home was important for the Free State senior class.

“Knowing there’s a chance we might not play at home again, that was obviously huge,” Moore said. “One week at a time to get the win next week and we’ll see from there.”

FSHS (6-3) — 21 14 0 14 — 49

OWHS (3-6) — 0 13 6 7 — 26

How they scored

First quarter

07:31 – Crow Bengoa 1-yard rush. Yusef Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 7 OW 0)

03:51: – Bralin Preston 13-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 14 OW 0)

02:15 – Boston Baker 33-yard pass to Braiden Blanchard. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 21 OW 0)

Second quarter

08:06 – Cameron Kruse 7-yard pass to Eli Ables. Dylan Wilman kick is good. (FS 21 OW 7)

03:21 – Parker Moore 11-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 28 OW 7)

01:28 – Kruse 39-yard pass to Sam Krzkowski. Kick is blocked. (FS 28 OW 13)

0:21 – Parker Moore 5-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 35 OW 13)

Third quarter

06:35 – Kruse 8-yard pass to Josh Foland. Two-point conversion failed. (FS 35 OW 19)

Fourth quarter

11:16 – Parker Moore 17-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 42 OW 19)

06:59 – Finn Moore 8-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 49 OW 19)

05:28 – Mason Barnard 10-yard rush. Kyle Kurth kick is good. (FS 49 OW 26)

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ryan Weishaar runs down the field during the playoff game hosted in Lawrence against the Olathe West Owls on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State Firebirds during their playoff game against the Olathe West Owls on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State defensive back Josiah Smith prepares for battle with an Olathe West receiver during the playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Ethan Prescott (left) and senior Noah Rupp on the field during the playoff game against the Olathe West Owls on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State kicker Yusef Iskandrani sets up for an extra point after a touchdown against the Olathe West Owls on Friday Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior receiver Braiden Blanchard runs for a touchdown against Olathe West during the playoff game hosted in Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State defensive lineman Blaine Larkin attempts to sack the Olathe West quarterback during the playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State defensive line before a snap during the playoff game against Olathe West on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State receiver Bralin Preston storms past Olathe West defenders to score a touchdown during the playoff game hosted in Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State receiver Bralin Preston catches a pass against Olathe West on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State defensive back Justice McAleese lines up during the Firebirds’ playoff game against Olathe West in Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Crow Bengoa points after rushing into the end zone for a touchdown against Olathe West in Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Parker Moore squeezes through the Olathe West defense during the playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State captains, from left, Boston Baker, Blaine Larkin, Landon Leipold, and Parker Moore during the pregame meeting at the playoff game against Olathe West hosted in Lawrence on November 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart watches on as his team runs out on the field before the playoff game against Olathe West in Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State Firebirds storm out onto the field before their game against Olathe West on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Lawrence.