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

Free State junior Michael Harrison attempts to stay in bounds during the Firebirds' game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham (left) and junior Reece Wilmes celebrate a two point conversion during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior AJ Kimzey catches a pass in the endzone during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel throws to the end zone during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham attempts to catch a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Tim Toulouse catches a pass on the sideline during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham wraps up a ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Alijah Beckum forces a fumble during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

The Free State offense celebrates a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison and sophomore Tim Toulouse celebrate a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniels signals prior to the snap during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison breaks loose during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior AJ Kimzey keeps his feet inbounds during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Alijah Beckum signals for a turnover on downs during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart speaks to his team during a timeout in the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Orris Kline celebrates a defensive stop during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison looks to make a defender miss during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison looks to break free during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Alijah Beckum brings in a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

The Free State defense brings down a ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison falls forward during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior AJ Kimzey prepares for the play during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Micah Jones kicks a field goal during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Alijah Beckum looks to the endzone during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Donnie Krehbiel wraps up a ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Alijah Beckum returns a kickoff during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

The Free State defense swarms a ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

The Free State defensive line prepares for battle during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison (left) and sophomore Tim Toulouse celebrate a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison falls forward while being tackled during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Tim Toulouse lines up for a play during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham finds an open lane during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

The Free State defense brings down the ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel storms downfield during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison returns the opening kickoff during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Finn Moore takes off for a big run during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Senior Maddon Brittingham (33) and the Free State defense celebrate a fumble recovery during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart watches as his team takes the field during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham tiptoes down the sideline as he is tripped during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel takes over the offense during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Packson McDaniel (3) follows his blockers during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Charlie Griffith looks to bring down a ball carrier during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Michael Harrison breaks a tackle during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State’s Jaionte Walton, Michael Harrison and Braelan Robinson (left to right) celebrate a touchdown during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham hits the quarterback during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Maddon Brittingham and head coach Kevin Stewart high-five during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior AJ Kimzey goes up for a pass during the Firebirds’ game against Shawnee Mission East on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Shawnee Mission District North Stadium in Overland Park.