photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Parker Moore (8) high-fives junior Ethan Prescott (7) during the season opener against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

Free State football began its 2024 campaign by defeating Shawnee Mission East 12-3 on Friday night to improve to 1-0 on the season.

The Firebirds were tested on both sides of the ball, as Shawnee Mission East ran for 177 yards and dominated time of possession throughout the game, testing the fight of the Firebird defense, and giving the offense limited chances to convert.

“Shawnee Mission East deserves a lot of credit because they had a game plan and they executed their game plan,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “They didn’t really score on us, but they controlled the clock and the possession the whole game.”

On the opening drive of the game, Shawnee Mission East drove 71 yards in just under 10 minutes before Free State came up with a huge stop on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.

Then, on Free State’s first drive of the season, running back Noah Simpson broke through the middle for a 29 yard gain to move the Firebirds into Shawnee Mission East territory. After driving down to the Shawnee Mission East 5-yard line, a bad snap pushed Free State back to the 23-yard line.

Two plays later, kicker Yusef Iskandrani drilled a 40-yard field goal to give the Firebirds a 3-0 lead.

As on the first, Shawnee Mission East marched down the field on its second drive. After getting down to the Firebirds’ 15, running back Nate Phillips lost the ball in a flurry of Free State defenders and defensive lineman Hyrum Vaeono recovered the fumble for Free State.

On the Firebirds’ third play of the following drive, the Lancers got the ball right back after a long pass from quarterback Boston Baker was intercepted.

Free State defensive back Noah Rupp wasted no time taking possession back for the Firebirds, intercepting a pass from Lancer quarterback Jack Reeves on the first play.

Free State gained nine yards on a quick out route to wide receiver Bralin Preston, before Iskandrani missed a long 54-yard field goal to send Free State to the locker room up just three after a wild ending to the first half.

Free State got out to a quick start in the second half, as Simpson broke off another 29-yard run to put the Firebirds in prime position to score. A few plays later, Simpson capped off the drive with a one-yard run to give his team a 10-0 lead.

“He looked really good. He’s got some moves, he’s a shifty back and he can run and catch,” Stewart said. “He’s got a lot of swagger and he can play some football.”

Shawnee Mission East powered the ball forward on its next drive, taking more than seven minutes off the clock. After getting stopped on third and long, Shawnee Mission East kicker Dylan Dehan hit a 28-yarder to pull within seven points, 10-3.

On the second play of the next drive, Baker had a pass tipped and intercepted by the Lancers at the Firebird 23-yard line. Despite great field position, the Lancers failed to find the end zone, as the Firebird defense held strong for four plays and gave the ball back to the offense when linebacker Parker Moore deflected a pass on fourth-and-short.

After pinning Shawnee Mission East inside the 10-yard line on a punt, Free State’s defense held strong once again, forcing a punt. After a delay-of-game penalty, Shawnee Mission East had its heels to the end zone, and a high snap resulted in a safety, giving Free State a 12-3 lead with 3:29 left.

Shawnee Mission East drove one last time into Free State territory before linebacker Crow Bengoa came up with an interception to secure the opening-week win for Free State.

Free State has a large task at hand next week, as it travels to Manhattan on Thursday night. Free State fell to Manhattan in the second round of the playoffs last season, 21-7, making next week’s matchup a bit of a revenge game.

“The guys want to get back, for sure. The guys want a little revenge,” Stewart said. “At the same time, it’s a totally different year, two different teams.”

Game Stats

Free State 12, Shawnee Mission East 3

FS | SME

First downs 12 | 14

Rushes-yards 28-73 | 36 | 177

Passing yards 116 | 36

Total offense 189 | 213

Fumbles-lost 2-1 | 1-1

Interceptions 2 | 2

Penalty yards 7-70 | 7-37

Score by quarters

Shawnee Mission East 0 0 0 3 – 3

Free State 0 3 7 2 – 12

How they scored

Second quarter

7:14 – Yusef Iskandrani 40-yard field goal. (FS 3 SME 0)

Third quarter

6:43 – Noah Simpson 1-yard run. Iskandrani kick good. (FS 10 SME 0)

Fourth quarter

10:54 – Dylan Dehan 28-yard field goal. (FS 10 SME 3)

3:29 – Safety. (FS 12 SME 3)

Individual statistics

Rushing:

FS: Noah Simpson 14-86; Ryan Weishaar 6-1; Maddon Brittingham 1-9

SME: Nate Phillips 23-101; Jack Reeves 11-73; Christian Shaw 2-4

Passing:

FS: Boston Baker 11-19-116

SME: Jack Reeves 5-12-36

Receiving:

FS: Noah Simpson 2-39; Bralin Preston 4-30; Liam Stramberg 2-26; Landon Leipold 3-21

SME: Brady Haughton 2-16; Brooks Moore 1-13; Christian Shaw 1-5; Nate Phillips 1-1

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Yusef Iskandrani celebrates after nailing a field goal during the season opener against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Boston Baker slings the ball downfield during the season opener against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Landon Leipold talks to his coach during the season opener against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart observes the season opener against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Garrison Oatis tracks the Shawnee Mission East quarterback on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence Free State huddles up at the start of halftime against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence Free State runs on to the field prior to the game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Hiram Kahungura carries the American flag onto the field prior to the game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lawrence.