photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Bralin Preston gets past a defender for a touchdown at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024 in Overland Park.

Overland Park — The Free State football team eked out a 24-21 road win over a gritty Shawnee Mission North squad on Thursday night.

In a game where neither team grasped any momentum, the Firebirds needed a spark of energy to come away with the win. It wasn’t a specific play, but the efforts of senior wide receiver Bralin Preston helped the Firebirds emerge victorious.

Preston caught three passes for 77 yards, and picked up 39 yards on three carries, including a 20-yard rushing touchdown.

“Bralin is an extremely hard worker. He’s a humble kid. He does everything we ask and he’s the kind of kid we’re looking for in a leader,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “We struggled on offense tonight, but tried to get Bralin the ball when we could because he’s an athletic guy for us who can make plays.”

Despite struggles throughout the night, on its very first drive, Free State had gotten its rushing attack started on the right foot. Running back Nez Lattimore-Douglas picked up a first down on a 14-yard run, then quarterback Finn Moore scrambled for a 32-yard pickup. A few plays later, Moore’s brother, Parker, found the end zone on a 7-yard rush in the wildcat formation.

After the defense forced a fumble on the Bison’s second series, the Firebirds gave the ball right back with a fumble of their own. The Bison wasted no time tying the score, as a 43-yard jet sweep by wide receiver Jeremiah Looney set up a 3-yard touchdown score by quarterback Alex Casares.

Despite showing positive signs on the first drive of the night, the Free State offense fumbled on a second drive, once again giving Shawnee Mission North prime field position. Luckily for the Free State defense, great coverage by senior defensive back Noah Rupp caused a turnover on downs, avoiding points off turnovers on back-to-back possessions.

Both teams had multiple empty drives before the Firebird offense started to find its passing attack. Moore constructed a five play, 71-yard drive with completions of 15 and 16 yards to Preston, and a 29-yard strike to wide receiver Braiden Blanchard before Moore executed a 13-yard scramble to regain a 14-7 lead.

Shawnee Mission North shocked just about everyone in attendance, especially the Free State return team, with an onside kick to start the second half with possession in Free State territory.

The Firebirds kept the Bison off the board with a fourth-down stop, but not for long. Moore was picked off on the ensuing drive, setting up a 12-yard game-tying pass from Casares to wide receiver Chris Moreno.

The Bison’s defense held strong, forcing a Firebird punt. On the first play of the Bison drive, the Firebird defense made a statement of its own, as Rupp blitzed the gap and forced a fumble, which was recovered by senior linebacker Havea Hafoka.

The fumble came at a key time for the Free State defense, which needed a jolt to carry momentum through the final quarter of play.

“They got a couple fumbles, but they also let them score touchdowns on fourth down, and just had no energy,” Stewart said.

Mixing up schemes and personnel on offense, Free State again turned to Preston on a designed carry for a 20-yard rush to retake the lead late in the third quarter at 21-14.

Forcing a three-and-out, the Firebirds took over with good field position on its next drive. A 26-yard run by Moore ultimately set up kicker Yusef Iskandrani with a 20-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10.

Needing a score, with the Bison’s persistent rushing attack and the ability of Casares to extend plays, they got just what they needed. Casares found Moreno to set up a goal-to-go scenario before running back Skylar Young punched in a 4-yard run to cut the Firebird lead to three.

With over four minutes of game time left, Free State rode the momentum of two game-clinching plays on the final drive. Moore hooked up with Preston on a 46-yard pass, then Free State pulled off an end-around with Preston for a 21-yard first down to put the game away for good.

The Firebirds will return home next Friday to take on a solid program in Shawnee Mission Northwest.

“We got to take care of business with ourselves,” Stewart said. “Guys got to, you know, start being leaders, start figuring out how much this season means to them, because from here on out, there’s no easy wins.”

Score by quarters

FSHS 7 7 7 3 — 24

SMN 7 0 7 7 — 21

How they scored

First quarter

03:53 – Parker Moore 7-yard rush. Yusef Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 7 SMN 0)

00:27 – Alex Casares 3-yard rush. Aiden Brakhage kick is good. (FS 7 SMN 7)

Second quarter

03:54 – Finn Moore 13-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 14 SMN 7)

Third quarter

07:51 – Casares 12-yard pass to Chris Moreno. Brakhage kick is good. (FS 14 SMN 14)

03:33 – Bralin Preston 20-yard rush. Iskandrani kick is good. (FS 21 SMN 14)

Fourth quarter

09:54 – Iskandrani 20-yard field goal. (FS 24 SMN 14)

04:36 – Skylar Young 4-yard rush. Brakhage kick is good. (FS 24 SMN 21)

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Finn Moore looks downfield for a pass at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State seniors Michael King and Parker Moore reach out to recover a fumble at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024 in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Braiden Blanchard pulls in a catch at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Finn Moore runs for a touchdown at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Aaron Novotny breaks up a pass against Shawnee Mission North’s Jeremiah Looney in the end zone Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Garrison Oatis celebrates a fumble recovery at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Finn Moore is sacked by Shawnee Mission North’s Moses Bortka Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart points out instructions against Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence Free State senior Hyrum Vaeono and sophomore Garrison Oatis take down Shawnee Mission North’s Skylar Young Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Parker Moore celebrates a touchdown with senior Landon Leipold at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Parker Moore breaks through for a touchdown at Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.