Megan Bowers/Megan Bowers Photography
Free State’s Finn Moore leads the way for the Firebirds in a 35-21 win over Olath South.
The nimble feet of Finn Moore, coupled with opportune special teams play, propelled the Lawrence-Free State Firebirds to a 35-21 victory over the Olathe South Falcons Friday night.
The road triumph moves the Firebirds to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in district-play.
After coming up empty on its opening drive, Free State senior Greysen Rawls plucked a muffed punt out of midair and darted into the end zone, handing the Firebirds a 7-0 lead. Since a muffed punt cannot be advanced, Free State caught a break after officials determined it was a fumble.
“I kind of thought it was a muff, so we got lucky there,” said Free State head coach Kevin Stewart of the missed call. But Stewart was also pleased with quarterback Moore’s booming punt, allowing Rawls time to advance downfield and make the momentum-shifting play.
“The punt had great hang-time and spin,” Stewart said. “And I was thinking to myself that it might be hard to catch.”
Olathe South pieced together an 83-yard scoring drive on its ensuing possession, capped by quarterback Gage Lee’s 21-yard touchdown scamper to even the score. The first quarter fireworks continued as Free State promptly marched downfield. On third-and-1, Moore lofted a pass that was hauled in by sophomore tight end Liam Collins in the back corner of the end zone, as the Firebirds led 14-7 at the conclusion of the opening frame.
“We told our guys, with our ‘heavy-package’ that we’re going to throw it to Liam one of these times,” Stewart said with a wry smile. “And he was just wide open.”
Back in possession and looking to convert a fourth-and short, Lee’s pass was broken up by Rawls.
“He just seems to be everywhere,” Stewart said.
Taking over at their own 35-yard line, the Firebirds chewed more than seven minutes off the clock as Moore dazzled with his feet. Despite a deluge of false start and holding penalties, Moore knifed in for a 3-yard touchdown to cap off the drive — handing the Firebirds a 21-7 advantage. Free State was able to preserve that lead courtesy of Maddon Brittingham’s field goal block as time expired in the first half.
The Firebirds upped their advantage to 28-7 courtesy of a methodical scoring drive punctuated by Moore’s short touchdown run. Moore later added a third rushing score en route to the convincing victory. Moore concluded with 125 yards on 17 attempts — while adding 84 yards and a touchdown through the air.
“Offense, defense, punting — he just does everything,” Stewart said of Moore. “The kid is a stud.”
Brittingham also did major damage on the ground, racking up 117 yards on 23 carries — to go along with eight tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Moore and company were 6-for-9 on third down conversions, while also converting their lone fourth down play.
“Our offensive line won the game for us,” Stewart said.
Moore also lauded the offensive line’s dominant performance.
“There was so much room to run,” Moore said. “It was an amazing night to run the ball.”
Senior wideout Shawn Overstreet, who finished with 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns during last week’s 35-27 victory over Olathe East, was not available Friday night. Stewart said Overstreet was dealing with a leg injury, but that he is trending in the right direction for next week’s contest.
“He tried to tough it out all week, but it came down to a game-time decision,” Stewart said. “We hope to have him back next week at 100 percent.”
Stewart added that he was impressed by 290-pound junior defensive lineman Kio Ford’s ability to disrupt plays in the second half. “I also thought Julius Matthews has been getting better and better at the linebacker position,” he said.
The Firebirds square off in a road matchup with Shawnee Mission South. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm Oct. 9.
Editor’s note: For football games, Free State student Linus Redmond helps the Free State team and Lawrence Sports with tracking stats during the game.
