Gardner Edgerton’s run game too much to handle as Free State falls in home opener, 35-14

photo by: Henry Wiley/Special to the Journal-World

Free State is on defense against Gardner Edgerton on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Free State High School in Lawrence Kansas.

Free State’s defense allowed 361 total yards and 323 rushing yards in Friday’s home opener, as the Firebirds (2-1) fell to Gardner Edgerton, 35-14.

A big piece of the Trailblazers’ rushing attack was junior running back Manny Mulwa, who rushed 42 times for 287 yards and all five touchdowns.

“He was running extremely hard, got to give him credit,” Free State head coach Kevin Stewart said. But honestly, it was really more their offensive line and our defensive line. Their offensive line was playing with great pad level, and our guys were standing up, and that’s why we got beat.”

Gardner Edgerton also dominated time of possession, having the ball for over 30 minutes.

On the offensive end, senior quarterback Finn Moore completed eight passes for 124 yards for a touchdown, while also rushing for 59 yards.

The Firebirds got a big play on offense early, after a 53-yard connection from Moore to senior receiver Alijah Beckum, before a fumble on the ensuing play gave the ball to the Trailblazers.

The visitors picked up one first down on their opening drive before two negative run plays ultimately forced a punt.

After what appeared to be a three-and-out, Free State pulled off a fake punt on fourth-and-4, resulting in a 51-yard touchdown run by Moore.

“We just saw on film that there was a chance that could hit,” Stewart said. “(I was) a little nervous calling it, but it’s like ‘this is what I saw on film, so I’ve got to trust it,’ and Finn made it the right call.”

Gardner Edgerton’s running game got going on its second drive, resulting in a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run by Mulwa. Free State’s lead stayed intact, however, after a bad snap on the extra-point attempt.

A short kick gave the Firebirds good field position, and after runs of five and 11 yards by Maddon Brittingham, Moore completed a 44-yard pass down the middle to sophomore receiver Packson McDaniel for a touchdown to take a 14-6 lead.

The Trailblazer’s next drive lasted over five minutes, resulting in Mulwa’s second touchdown of the night from 9 yards away. A completed pass on the ensuing two-point drive from Carson McCall to Dawson Cassida tied the game at 14.

Following a three-and-out, Gardner Edgerton got the ball back with 3:30 remaining before halftime. The Trailblazers drove 62 yards down the field with a mix of the run and pass game, but the Firebird defense stood strong, forcing an incompletion on fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line to keep the game tied at the half.

Gardner Edgerton dominated time of possession in the first half, holding the ball for nearly 16 minutes. This allowed for 196 yards in the rushing game, while Free State rushed just seven times for 68 yards.

Both teams were forced to punt on their opening drive of the second quarter before a shanked punt by Free State gave Gardner Edgerton just 23 yards to work with, resulting in Mulwa’s third touchdown of the game after a 12-yard carry.

Trailing for the first time all game, Free State put together a methodical drive with a mix of its run and passing games, moving 70 yards in nearly six minutes. However, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Moore was stopped on fourth-and-3, giving the ball back to the Trailblazers.

“I just felt our offense was out of sync,” Stewart said. “Our offense didn’t really seem to have any clear identity tonight. Maybe you credit (Gardner Edgerton) for that… (the) offense just wasn’t good enough.”

Gardner Edgerton’s power run game stayed on display, driving 90 yards down the field in nine minutes and 23 seconds, resulting in Mulwa’s fourth touchdown of the game.

After a miscommunication on the kickoff, the Trailblazers recovered and put the game away with Mulwa’s fifth touchdown run.

The Firebirds will remain in Lawrence, hosting Shawnee Mission North next Friday at 7 p.m.

“Our guys just have to focus on North and you know, get after it,” Stewart said. We’ll need to respond. We definitely need to win every game or every chance we get an opportunity.”

How they scored

First quarter

5:21 – Finn Moore 51-yard run. Micah Jones PAT good. FS 7, GE 0

Second quarter

11:57 – Manny Mulwa 8-yard run. PAT no good. FS 7, GE 6

10:51 – Packson McDaniel 44-yard pass from Moore. Jones PAT good. FS 14, GE 6

5:26 – Mulwa 9-yard run. Two-point conversion good. FS 14, GE 14

Third quarter

5:41 – Mulwa 12-yard run. Uriah Morris PAT good. GE 21, FS 14

Fourth quarter

2:31 – Mulwa 19-yard run. Morris PAT good. GE 28, FS 14

1:54 – Mulwa 10-yard run. Morris PAT good. GE 35, FS 14