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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart addresses his team after the football jamboree in Leavenworth on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

The Free State football team will kick off its 2024 season at home Friday night, hosting the Shawnee Mission East Lancers at 7 p.m.

The matchup comes a little later in the calendar than normal, as the KSHSAA calendar pushed the start of the football season past Labor Day. Despite the later-than-normal start, head coach Kevin Stewart knows his players are amped up to begin the season.

“I feel like the guys are definitely ready to play their first game,” Stewart said. “For whatever reason with the high school calendar, we’ve been shifted back about one week so I think our guys are definitely ready, they’re kind of getting tired of practicing.”

The offense is starting to come into its own following the graduation of former All-Area quarterback Wesley Edison, with the Firebirds’ skill-position weapons leading the charge.

Free State returns senior wide receivers Bralin Preston and Landon Leipold, who will look to be key targets for senior quarterback Boston Baker. Last season, Preston caught 25 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns, while Leipold hauled in 26 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns.

“I think Bralin Preston is maybe a top threat in terms of speed and agility,” Stewart said. “Landon has been a very consistent, smart football player who knows how to get open and knows how to use his body and he’s been very consistent and a very good receiver for us.”

Defensively, Free State returns six starters from a unit that allowed just 17.9 points per game a season ago. Key returners include senior linebacker Crow Bengoa, who led Free State in tackles with 91, senior linebacker Parker Moore, a Wyoming commit, and senior defensive tackle Hyrum Vaeono, who recorded seven tackles for loss and two sacks last season, being named to the All-Sunflower League first team.

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

Free State receiver Bralin Preston battles for position in a scrimmage against Tonganoxie in Leavenworth on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

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

Free State junior Landon Leipold runs after catching a pass during the football jamboree hosted at Leavenworth High School on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

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

Free state linebacker Crow Bengoa high-fives teammates coming off the field on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 in Leavenworth.

“We feel like the defense should be a strength of our team just because (of) the number of guys returning that started last year,” Stewart said.

Despite the strong defensive group returning, Stewart is aware that the unit will face a challenge in week one against the physical rushing attack the Lancers possess.

“This week we’re going to see a team that runs the ball right at us,” Stewart said. “We’re going to see if they’re as good as they want to be or if there’s still some work to do.”

Shawnee Mission East’s rushing attack is led by a duo of All-Sunflower League honorable-mention running backs in senior Nate Phillips and junior Jack Reeves. As a sophomore, Reeves came onto the scene last year, rushing for 526 yards on 108 carries for three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Phillips was a good counterbalance, rushing for 414 yards on 103 carries, and scoring four touchdowns.

A season-opening win for Free State would be a solid way to start the season and a good confidence booster, but Stewart knows that it’s a long season and in the grand scheme of things, one win doesn’t determine a lot once the playoffs roll around.

“Starting off with a win gives your team some confidence and a little bit of momentum early so it is important to start fast,” he said, “but it’s a long season, so a week one win doesn’t define your whole season.”