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

Free State senior Keeten Parish celebrates a safety against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

Overland Park — Through five weeks of play, the offense had in large part fueled the success of the Free State football team.

However, on Thursday night at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, the defense forced two first-half turnovers, as well as a safety, to lead the Firebirds (5-1) to a 44-14 win over Shawnee Mission South (3-3).

“The defense played really well, they came out with a lot of energy and we were aggressive,” head coach Kevin Stewart said.

The Firebirds forced a turnover on just the second play of the game, which provided a big energy boost to a group that Stewart says is “much improved.”

“We did some different things, and I think that gave us a little bit of an advantage,” he said. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement and I hope we can get better.”

Prior to the week, the team was dealt heavy blows with injuries to key contributors Ethan Prescott, Liam Collins and Shawn Overstreet. But the players rallied around each other, and young pieces stepped up in place of the injured players.

“We really just had to come together even closer,” running back Maddon Brittingham said. “We had to just practice the simple things and not just go too complex. We really need those guys and we’ll get them back as soon as we can.”

The Firebirds received the opening kickoff and wasted no time getting ahead of the Raiders. Quarterback Finn Moore rushed for 40 yards on the fourth play of the drive to get the ball inside the red zone, then one play later, Brittingham scored from 16 yards out.

Moore and Brittingham combined for 75 yards on just five plays on the opening drive, which lasted less than two minutes.

Linebacker Julius Matthews made an impact on the Raiders’ first offensive play, then the Firebirds regained possession, forcing a fumble and recovery on a completed pass by Shawnee Mission South quarterback Solomon Hirsch.

Matthews, filling in for Prescott, garnered high praise from Stewart, who said he’s been the team’s “most improved player” over the last few weeks.

“He was struggling a little bit, and other teams were seeing it,” Stewart said. “He’s definitely one of our best defensive players. He understands what he’s doing now, we’ve made it a little bit simpler for him and he’s really stepped up.”

Moore continued to pick up yards with his legs, gaining 12 yards on three plays before Brittingham capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown, his second in as many drives.

Brittingham finished the game with 99 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns, as well as a reception for 11 yards.

Rather than taking all credit for himself, Brittingham praised his offensive line for the success he’s had throughout the season.

“They just put everything on the line out there,” he said. “They’re doing everything they can to give me the best look, and you know, we just went to work all day. I can’t thank them enough.”

Free State’s defense got off the field once again in two plays, as a flock of defenders, led by Brittingham, tackled Marquan Washington in the end zone for a safety.

“I wasn’t supposed to make that play, but we were all just flying around, having a good time,” Brittingham said.

Brittingham and the rushing attack once again led the Firebird offense down the field following the safety. Brittingham carried the ball for seven and 13 yards, picking up a first down on consecutive plays. Facing third-and-4, Moore got three yards, but a facemask penalty resulted in a first down and kept the drive alive.

Again with the drive at risk, Shawnee Mission South committed a crucial penalty on fourth-and-4, this time for offsides, to give the Firebirds first-and-goal. Moore capitalized, finding the end zone on a 7-yard rush on the next play.

On their third drive, the Raiders picked up a first down just before the end of the first quarter as Hirsch escaped the pocket and picked up 17 yards on the ground. After taking a sack on the final play of the quarter, Hirsch threw an incompletion and a 3-yard pass, giving the ball back to the Firebirds.

Following two first-down conversions, including Moore’s first completion on an 11-yard pitch-and-catch to Brittingham along the sideline, a false-start penalty stalled the drive and resulted in Free State’s first punt.

Hirsch connected with wide receiver Traeh West for gains of 10 and 28 yards through the air before Hirsch fumbled the ball inside the Firebirds’ 10-yard line, where it was recovered by linebacker Garrison Oatis.

The Raiders avoided further damage when on the Firebirds’ first play, Brittingham bobbled a handoff and it was picked up by Adam Olson, who raced away to paydirt for the Raiders’ first score.

Facing adversity for the first time all night, Free State responded with a 53-yard drive following a failed onside kick attempt. Brittingham and Moore rushed for 12 and 25 yards each to put the ball at the 16-yard line.

After a holding penalty, Brittingham picked up seven yards, then Moore gained five yards on fourth-and-1. On the next play, Moore found the end zone for the second time with a 2-yard score.

Shawnee Mission South’s last-minute drive resulted in a punt, and Free State kneeled out the final 14 seconds to take a 30-7 halftime lead.

The Raiders began the second half with the ball and drove down the field with big plays, started by a 29-yard reception by Luke Black. A few plays later, the Raiders deployed an end around, fooling the Firebird defense and allowing West to scamper into the end zone untouched from 25 yards away.

Brittingham picked up a first down on Free State’s first drive of the second half, but yet another false start halted the momentum and forced a punt.

Free State’s defense held stout on the next possession, allowing zero yards, including two incompletions. A favorable punt gave Free State field position at Shawnee Mission South’s 39-yard line.

Moore and Brittingham picked up gains of six yards each, leading to Moore’s third touchdown night on a 22-yard scramble in which he went untouched.

The Firebird defense forced another three-and-out and handed the offense good field position at the Raiders’ 43-yard line. Moore picked up a first down on an 8-yard carry. On the next play, Alijuh Beckum skated away for a 29-yard score to extend the Firebird lead to 30.

The two teams traded positions over the final eight minutes and 41 seconds of the game, as Free State held on to the win to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Free State will return home on Friday, Oct. 17, for senior night, taking on Olathe North at 7 p.m.

Box score

FS 23 7 7 7 – 44

SMS 0 7 7 0 – 14

How they scored

First quarter

10:09 – Maddon Brittingham 16-yard run. Micah Jones PAT good. FS 7, SMS 0.

7:30 – Brittingham 5-yard run. Jones PAT good. FS 14, SMS 0.

6:33 – Safety. FS 16, SMS 0.

1:50 – Finn Moore 7-yard run. Jones PAT good. FS 23, SMS 0.

Second quarter

5:05 – Adam Olson 8-yard fumble recovery. Olson PAT good. FS 23, SMS 7.

0:52 – Moore 2-yard run. Jones PAT good. FS 30, SMS 7.

Third quarter

8:30 – Traeh West 25-yard run. Olson PAT good. FS 30, SMS 14.

0:29 – Moore 22-yard run. Jones PAT good. FS 37, SMS 14.

Fourth quarter

8:41 – Alijuh Beckum 29-yard run. Jones PAT good. FS 44, SMS 14.

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

Lawrence Free State junior Finn Moore celebrates with junior Maddon Brittingham after scoring a touchdown against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore scores a touchdown against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore evades defenders for a touchdown against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Donnie Krehbiel just misses a tipped ball for an interception against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Karson Bowers calls out during the game against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore gains extra yards against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Maddon Brittingham drags his toes to stay in bounds for a catch against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore makes a pitch against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Maddon Brittingham points up in celebration of a touchdown against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore looks downfield for a pass against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Karson Bowers celebrates with senior Julius Matcher after making a tackle for a loss against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart yells out during the game against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Maddon Brittingham crosses the end zone for a touchdown against Shawnee Mission South at Shawnee Mission District Stadium, South, Location, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Overland Park.