Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Olathe North’s Riley Johnson runs for a big gain during the first half against Free State.
Multiple weather-related delays and an eventual postponement took a toll on the Free State Firebirds in a 35-14 loss to the visiting Olathe North Eagles, snapping a four-game win streak.
The contest was halted midway through the third quarter Friday night and resumed Saturday with the Eagles holding a 21-14 lead. Olathe North ultimately reeled off 35 unanswered points en route to the league victory.
“Our guys started the game really well last night and we were hitting on all cylinders,” said Free State head coach Kevin Stewart. “Then we kind of gave [Olathe North] some momentum, they started to believe that they could beat us, and that carried over to Saturday.
“I thought we had opportunities today to get back in the game and get our guys to believe we could win. We made a few mistakes and were unable to pick up first downs.”
Free State (5-2 overall, 5-1 Sunflower League) controlled the clock for much of the first half Friday night. A 15-play 80-yard drive that featured all running plays was capped off by a Maddon Brittingham rushing score as the Firebirds led 7-0 with 4:01 remaining in the opening frame.
Quickly back in possession, Free State continued to rely on Brittingham and quarterback Finn Moore for the heavy lifting offensively. A pair of big gains by Brittingham had the Firebirds setting up shop deep in Olathe North territory. Moore then plowed up the middle from two yards out to finish off the drive and hand Free State a 14-0 advantage early in the second quarter.
With rain steadily streaming down, Olathe North quarterback Riley Johnson broke loose for a 52-yard romp down the left sideline — setting up Akobi Bruce’s 2-yard touchdown reception to cut the Eagles’ deficit to 14-7.
Aided by Free State penalties, including a pass inference call, the Eagles were again on the move late in the half. With the clock winding down and still well outside of field goal range, it appeared as though the Firebirds would hold up defensively. But the Eagles had other plans as Jayson Rush hauled in a short screen pass near the left sideline and bolted 56 yards to paydirt. With just 11 seconds remaining in the half, the Firebirds were content to run out the clock and head to the lockroom tied at 14.
“We were playing man coverage [defensively] and they were finding matchups they liked,” Stewart. “They were getting some one-on-one matchups and were just a little faster than us.”
After the intermission, the big plays continued for Olathe North. Johnson, while absorbing a hit, tossed his third touchdown pass of the game, connecting with Rush for a 39-yard strike to put the Eagles in front 21-14.
When action resumed Saturday, the Firebirds were unable to convert a fourth-and-5 from the Eagles’ 38-yard line. From there, Olathe North senior tailback Blaise Adger took over — getting the offense rolling with a 50-yard gain. Adger then punctuated the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Eagles in front 28-14.
Adger found paydirt again in the fourth quarter, staking Olathe North (4-3) to a commanding 35-14 advantage. Later in the fourth, Adger took a handoff up the middle and darted 68 yards to the end zone, but the touchdown was negated after the Eagles were whistled for taunting during their post-touchdown celebration.
Stewart said he was unsure whether or not the delays and eventual postponement adversely affected his team. There were two lengthy lighting delays Friday night prior to the official postponement.
“[The Eagles] were way more physical today and our guys seemed a little bit tired,” Stewart said. “So maybe it did have an effect — starting and stopping, starting and stopping. Maybe we were a little fatigued.”
Free State concludes its regular-season slate against archrival Lawrence High (0-7) in the annual City Showdown next Friday. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm from Lawrence High School.
Free State is grappling with a depleted depth chart on both sides of the ball, including Brittingham who exited in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
“The bottom line is that injuries are a part of the game, but it is a huge deal for us right now,” Stewart said, adding that “every one of our guys is battling and playing as hard as they can.”
A victory against LHS guarantees the Firebirds a share of the Sunflower League crown.
