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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart (left) and senior Karson Bowers talk on the sideline during the Firebirds' game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

Free State football was able to get through two and a half quarters of play of its Friday night game against Olathe North, before the game was postponed due to weather with the Eagles leading 21-14.

Free State’s rushing attack established itself throughout the first drive, picking up short, but manageable gains often on the drive. The Firebirds picked up two fourth-down conversions on the drive, and ultimately capped off the 15-play, 80-yard opening drive with a 7-yard carry from Maddon Brittingham.

The Firebird defense got off the field after forcing a three-and-out, giving the ball back to the offense.

Quarterback Finn Moore picked up a first down on the second to last play of the first quarter. To open the second, Brittingham added gains of 16 and 12 yards on back-to-back plays, before Moore finished off the drive with three straight runs, including a 2-yard score to go up 14.

After going nowhere on its first drive, the Eagle offense got into a rhythm on the second series thanks to a 52-yard run by quarterback Riley Johnson. After a loss on the next play, Johnson connected with wide receiver Akobi Bruce for a 2-yard touchdown strike.

Olathe North regained possession after a punt Johnson fumbled on the first play of the next drive and was recovered by the Firebirds’ Jude Dowdle.

A costly holding call backed up the Firebird offense. Moore fired off a screen pass to Brittingham for 12 yards, but the offense failed to convert on third down and had to punt once again.

Johnson picked up 21 yards with a run before another key penalty hurt Free State, as a defensive pass interference call gave Olathe North another 15 yards. One play later, Johnson threw a screen pass to an open Jayson Rush who raced away for a 56-yard touchdown reception to tie the score at halftime.

In the first half, Free State dominated time of position, running 35 plays compared to just 10 by Olathe North.

Following an hourlong weather delay that extended halftime, Olathe North began with the ball in the second half and continued to move the ball with success. Eagle running back Blaise Adger rushed for six yards and caught a pass for another nine yards.

On second-and-6, Johnson evaded pressure and fired downfield to an open Rush who scampered into the end zone for a 39-yard score.

On Free State’s first drive of the half, Moore rolled out of the pocket on third-and-9 and kept the chains moving with an 11-yard completion to Garrison Oatis. The Firebirds picked up another first down on a 5-yard rush by Brittingham, before being forced into a fourth-and-5.

Before the fourth-down play could occur, the game was delayed for a second time, and will resume Saturday at noon.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham tries to make an Olathe North defender miss during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore throws a screen pass while being pressured during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore escapes the hands of an Olathe North defensive lineman during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham tries to escape from an Olathe North defender during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Karson Bowers (44) blocks for quarterback Finn Moore during a play in the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore is brought down by and Olathe North defender during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore runs down the sideline during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham looks for space during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore looks to cut while being chased by an Olathe North defender during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore evades the Olathe North defense after scrambling from the pocket during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore drops back to pass during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State receiver Logan Kimball checks to see if he is lined up correctly during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham tries to escape the Olathe North defense during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State kicker Micah Jones kicks an extra point as senior Cooper May (4) holds the ball after a Firebird touchdown against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham (33) celebrates his touchdown with lineman Braden Wilmes during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore goes through the snap count during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State receiver Jonas Lonard lines up against an Olathe North defensive back during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore (left) hands the ball off to running back Maddon Brittingham during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Nez Lattimore-Douglas attempts to stiff-arm an Olathe North tackler during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Karson Bowers forces an incompletion during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham (center) looks for a gap in the Olathe North defense during a run in the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham shakes off an Olathe North tackler during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham charges through the Olathe North defense during the Firebirds’ game on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart watches on as his team runs a play during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State quarterback Finn Moore looks for options during the Firebirds’ game against Olathe North on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.