Free State

Cross-country recap: Free State boys win 3rd consecutive regional title

For the third year in a row, Free State’s boys cross-country secured a regional crown. The Firebirds had five runners finish inside the top-14 on their way to a first-place finish at the Class 6A regional meet on Saturday at Frontier Trail Middle School. Free State scored 38 points as a ...

Free State volleyball surges past Lawrence High in substate title game

Free State’s volleyball team is headed to the Class 6A state tournament for the second year in a row. It wasn’t always easy, but the Firebirds found a way to make the necessary plays to win a substate title at Olathe West High School on Saturday. Free State earned a two-set win (25-18, ...

Photo gallery: Free State vs. Lawrence High football

Lawrence High defeated Free State, 49-20, Friday night at FSHS. It marked the Lions' first win in the City Showdown since 2015. Photos by Nick Krug/Lawrence Journal-World

Lions defeat Firebirds for first win in City Showdown since 2015

Even against crosstown rival Free State, it was business as usual for the Lawrence High football team on Friday night. After a somewhat shaky start, the Lions found their rhythm and cruised to a 49-20 win over the Firebirds at FSHS. “They shook (the nerves) off after the first drive,” LHS ...

Lions, Firebirds each taking a different approach to this year’s City Showdown

Lawrence High head coach Steve Rampy still shoulders the blame for last year’s 31-30 home loss to Free State in the regular-season finale. Rampy didn’t surrender a kickoff return for a touchdown to start the third quarter, and he certainly wasn’t responsible for two costly second-half ...