It has been quite some time since Free State’s football team experienced a regular-season loss. Prior to last week’s defeat at Olathe East, the Firebirds hadn’t dropped a regular-season decision since a 34-21 loss at Park Hill on Sept. 16, 2016. FSHS rattled off eight consecutive wins ...
Once the ball fell safely into sophomore goalkeeper Aydan Works’ hands, Free State’s sideline let out a sigh of relief. Yet Shawnee Mission North’s last-ditch effort, a free kick with seven seconds remaining, never had a chance. It merely capped off a 1-0 win for the Firebirds, who ...
Even with the heat index in the 90s and having to deal with the rolling hills at the Lawrence Country Club golf course, Free State senior Kennedy Birk leaned on course familiarity. “Oh my gosh. I was sweating and I have the worst tan line right now,” Birk joked. “But we just have to ...
Free State’s gymnastics team had a new top performer in the third meet of the season. Talia Gay, who won the all-around state title last fall, had finished first or second in the all-around rankings in each of the first two meets. She then suffered an injury early in the Free State ...
It is just three meets into the 2019 season, but both Free State and Lawrence High gymnastics squads have made massive strides. And that is a credit to the new mindset for both teams under first-year head coach Katrina Farrow, who was an assistant for both programs the previous three seasons. ...
Free State, with no timeouts remaining, elected to run the ball on third down with junior running back Tyler Bowden. Bowden gained only five yards, leaving the clock running and the Firebirds in a frenzy to kick a field goal. Junior kicker Joey Wood managed to set up on the field in time for ...
It didn’t take long for the group chat to start blowing up. Senior left tackle Turner Corcoran was the first to send a message in the offensive line group chat, which occurred on the same night Free State rolled to a 45-19 win over Olathe West in the season opener. The sentiment across the ...
Keegan VanPelt, Free State’s top singles player, has a clear mission this fall. She placed sixth as a freshman at the Class 6A state tennis tournament two years ago. Last season, VanPelt improved on this finish by claiming fifth. Now she aims to continue that career trajectory while ...
After dropping the first set to Olathe North, Free State volleyball head coach Jayme Savage knew the Firebirds needed a spark to take back momentum. “New team, new outcome,” Savage said. And coming out of that huddle prior to the second set, the Firebirds (No. 4 Class 6A) looked reborn ...
A holding penalty on first down started Free State’s third drive on the wrong foot during its 45-19 win over Olathe West Friday night. That’s when the Firebirds finally went through the air after notching two rushing scores on the first two possessions. FSHS senior quarterback Colter ...
In its quest for a state title, Free State’s boys cross-country began the season off right. Following a runner-up finish in Class 6A last year, the Firebirds are poised for another high finish this fall. In its first action of 2019, Free State proved why as six runners finished in the top-19 ...
New coach, familiar result. For the first time in program history, someone other than Bob Lisher served as Free State’s head football coach. The first game of the Kevin Stewart era appeared to be business as usual for a program that has won double-digit games in back-to-back years. After ...
Gone is the single stripe down the Lawrence High football helmet. For the first time in a long time, LHS will have a new look this football season. The new helmet design, which was voted on by the team in July, will feature a Lion on one side and the player’s number on the other. “It is ...
Head coach Kevin Stewart doesn’t think he will be nervous. For the first time in school history, someone other than Bob Lisher will lead Free State’s football out on the field when the team hosts to Olathe West at 7 p.m. at FSHS. It will also be a first for Stewart, who will make his debut ...
There is nothing quite like the first week of the football season. It has been a long summer, so I’m beyond ready for the first Friday night under the lights of the 2019 season. And I’m sure that I’m not the only one. This fall figures to be another exciting season in the area football ...
Eudora’s William Sangill didn’t want to show any emotion, so he took a moment to dump his water bottle on his head. The junior goalkeeper had just surrendered a goal in the 22nd minute, allowing Bishop Seabury to take a 1-0 lead in the season opener. It was not the start that Sangill had ...
The 2019 volleyball season begins today with multiple area teams taking the court. Last season, a volleyball state champion came from this area when Lawrence High finished first in Class 6A for the first since 1995. The Lions will have to replace an instrumental senior class from a season ago, ...