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

Free State sophomore Rohan Patel looks to pass during the Firebirds' game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

After scoring 14 unanswered points to end the first half, Free State football (2-3) couldn’t replicate the same effort in the second half of Friday’s homecoming game, falling to Mill Valley 42-28 for its third straight loss.

“We’re close, but we’ve been close all year,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “That’s kind of what I’ve been telling everybody, that everybody’s pretty close in this league, and even the top teams are close, and you know, it’s going to be a matter of getting better.”

Sophomore quarterback Rohan Patel took over on the Firebirds’ third drive with the team already trailing by 14, and completed 19 of 31 passes for 231 yards to give the Firebirds a chance going into the locker room.

“He played awesome; the kid’s an unbelievable talent,” Stewart said. “He’s a leader, the guys all love him, they care about him, and he just pretty much showed everyone how good he is tonight.”

Sophomore wide receiver Packson McDaniel had a breakout game of his own, catching 13 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown.

“(McDaniel’s) is really talented, he’s fast,” Stewart said. “He’s shown us now three weeks in a row the things he can do on the football field… They were having a hard time covering him, they didn’t really have anybody who could cover him, and going into film, we knew that was kind of the goal, is (to) find the (best) matchup we can get.”

Free State threw the ball three times on the opening drive with senior quarterback Finn Moore, ultimately having to punt after a three-and-out. A 46-yard return gave the Jaguars good field position, as they scored from six yards out just 85 seconds into the game.

Following another quick three-and-out, Mill Valley’s offense got back to work with the help of a few penalties. After a 19-yard pass play, the Jaguars picked up another first down and took a two-score lead with a 10-yard pass.

With Patel taking over at quarterback, two pass-interference calls allowed the Firebirds to have possession at the Jaguars’ 36-yard line, and the offense moved into the red zone as Patel connected with senior wide receiver Alijah Beckum for a 24-yard gain.

After a 6-yard completion to Jaionte Walton, Moore punched in the first touchdown of the game for Free State on a 1-yard run.

Mill Valley nearly drove the length of the field on the next drive, but a big stop on fourth-and-1 at the Free State 4-yard line allowed the Firebirds to take over deep in their own territory. Free State’s second explosive play came on the fifth play of the drive as Patel found McDaniel for 55 yards. However, a sack on the next play ultimately led to an incompletion on fourth-and-13.

Garrison Oatis got the defense back off the field after a three-and-out with a sack on third down. Patel, still at quarterback, was the catalyst for a 48-yard drive as Moore punched in his second touchdown run of the game on a 20-yard scamper.

For the second straight drive, Oatis came up with a big play, this time on the final play of the half as he got to the quarterback on fourth-and-4 from the Firebirds’ 22-yard line, forcing an incompletion to leave the game tied at 14 going into halftime.

“That’s now three weeks in a row he’s had big plays,” Stewart said. “He’s playing really well and he’s doing a good job, and I think he’s really starting to figure it out.”

The Jaguars were forced to punt on fourth-and-4 on the opening drive of the second half, but a running-into-the-punter penalty against the Firebirds allowed the Jaguars to keep possession. Passes of 23 and 10 yards ultimately led to another pass, this time from 12 yards for a Mill Valley touchdown.

Facing third-and-13, Patel once again connected with McDaniel, this time for 20 yards before Patel called his number and scrambled for 39 yards. Two more pass interference calls, with one coming on fourth down, allowed Free State deep into Mill Valley territory before a goal-line stand gave the visitors the ball back.

Mill Valley drove 90 yards in just 75 seconds, scoring on the first play of the fourth quarter after a 40-yard run to take a 28-14 lead.

Free State’s offense stayed in the air with a 13-yard reception by Moore. Patel was hurt on the drive with a hand injury, but Moore kept the offense alive with a 7-yard completion to McDaniel, leading to a 23-yard touchdown run by Maddon Brittingham.

Stewart said postgame that he’s hoping the best for Patel’s status, but the team won’t find out more until early next week.

After an early onside kick, the Jaguars needed just two plays to respond, taking a 35-21 lead after a 48-yard touchdown strike.

“We’ve been practicing that, and it was supposed to be a surprise onside kick,” Stewart said. “We’ve had it in our calls… the real thought process was there’s eight and a half minutes left, (and) the last two games, the other team has taken eight minutes off the clock and ran it down.”

Moore rushed for 31 yards to get the Firebirds into opponent territory and picked up another first down with a 5-yard run, but four straight incompletions resulted in a turnover on downs with 5:14 remaining.

After another Mill Valley rushing touchdown to go up three scores, Free State struck gold one final time as Moore completed a pass in stride to McDaniel for a 71-yard touchdown with 1:52 remaining.

Stewart called Moore “unselfish” after the game, as the Air Force baseball commit not only threw for a touchdown, but he rushed for 71 yards and caught a pass for 13 yards.

“He’s said ‘I’m doing anything for the team,’ and I’m very proud of Finn,” Stewart said.

Another onside kick was unsuccessful, as the Jaguars were able to run out the remainder of the clock and improve to 5-0.

For the first time in four weeks, the Firebirds will be on the road next week, taking on Shawnee Mission East. Kickoff on Friday from Shawnee Mission North District Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

How they scored

First quarter

10:35 – Max Piva 6-yard run. Mason Gellender PAT good. MV 7, FS 0.

4:55 – Anthony Clem 10-yard pass from Holden Applebee. Gellender PAT good. MV 14, FS 0.

3:28 – Finn Moore 1-yard run. AJ Kimzey PAT good. MV 14, FS 7.

Second quarter

2:21 – Moore 20-yard run. Kimzey PAT good. FS 14, MV 14.

Third quarter

5:45 – Ryan Helm 12-yard pass from Applebee. Gellender PAT good. MV 21, FS 14.

Fourth quarter

11:51 – Piva 40-yard run. Gellender PAT good. MV 28, FS 14.

8:43 – Maddon Brittingham 23-yard run. Micah Jones PAT good. MV 28, FS 21.

7:57 – Anthony Clem 48-yard pass from Applebee. Gellender PAT good. MV 35, FS 21.

2:44 – Piva 43-yard run. Gellender PAT good. MV 42, FS 21.

1:52 – Packson McDaniel 71-yard pass from Moore. Jones PAT good. MV 42, FS 28.

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

Free State junior Orris Kline screams in celebration after a stop during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Finn Moore celebrates a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Finn Moore reaches the end zone for a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel goes up for a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Garrison Oatis celebrates a stop during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Jionte Walton looks to make a move towards the endzone during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel breaks a tackle during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Devin Ward drops into coverage during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State defensive line waits for the snap during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Finn Moore escapes the pocket during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison returns a kickoff during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

Free State special teams huddle prior to the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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

The Free State football team storms out of the locker room prior to the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence.