BASEHOR — Free State football unofficially kicked off its 2026 season, taking part in the Basehor-Linwood Jamboree on Friday.

“We have a lot of people on both ends that are brand new,” senior running back and safety Maddon Brittingham said. “It was good to see where they’re at and where they need to go – it just opened our eyes.”

The Firebirds competed in three scrimmages throughout the night, with each offense running 12 plays per scrimmage.

Free State’s opponents included two state runners-up a season ago in Olathe Northwest (6A) and host Basehor-Linwood (5A), as well as Sunflower League opponent Olathe East.

“Both (Olathe Northwest and Basehor-Linwood) are very good teams, but I feel like we weren’t outmatched in those competitions,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “We had a little (bit of a) hard time stopping the run… That’s why we do these things to play, get some reps and see how we look.”

In the first scrimmage of the night, the offense began with the ball against Olathe East, and found some success in the run game, primarily thanks to an 18-yard run by Maddon Brittingham on the second play. The Air Force commit later scored the only Firebird touchdown of the first scrimmage, catching a 4-yard pass from sophomore Rohan Patel.

While senior Finn Moore will be the team’s starting quarterback, the jamboree allowed Patel, who spent his freshman season at Los Lunas High School in New Mexico, extra reps at the varsity level.

“He’s a great kid; he’s a big kid. He’s smart,” Brittingham said. “He learns things fast, and he’s got a great arm. He’s got a bright future, and I’m excited to keep building a relationship with him.”

The Firebird defense showed positive signs in stopping the run game, but the Hawks ultimately moved the ball down the field and ended the scrimmage with a passing touchdown.

Against Olathe Northwest, the offense took the field first and again had success with the run game before Patel threw his second touchdown pass of the night, this time to junior wide receiver Charlie Griffith.

Free State’s defensive unit gave up a touchdown on both of the first two plays against the Ravens. A positive sign came on the final play, stopping a goal-to-go opportunity from the 3-yard line.

The offense ultimately found success despite an early fumble against Basehor-Linwood as junior running back Michael Harrison scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown while Brittingham caught a 12-yard pass from Patel in the end zone on the final play from scrimmage.

“Offensively, I thought we looked pretty good,” Stewart said. “We’ve got some speed out there, and we’re able to get the ball to different guys.”

The Bobcats’ offense caused plenty of fits for the young Firebird defense, using short throws and a strong run game to score three touchdowns in the final scrimmage.

“We’re going to have to be very disciplined and very sound in our assignments,” Stewart said. “We do not have the size on the D-Line to just line up at a base defense and say that we’re bigger than you. That just means guys are going to have to be quick and they’re going to have to be gap-sound.”

The Firebirds now have another week to prepare for the season opener on the road at Shawnee Mission West. The two teams met last season, a game Free State won 49-27, but both Stewart and Brittingham say the biggest emphasis is making sure the defense is ready to go.

“It’s definitely going to take defense,” Brittingham said. “Just being able to hold them to minimal scores and not letting them get too much is definitely going to be big for us.”