Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Free State running back Maddon Brittingham got the Firebirds started fast in another win over Sunflower League foe as they defeated Olathe East 35-27 during the team’s homecoming game in Lawrence.

A heavy dose of smashmouth football paved the way for Lawrence Free State Firebirds’ 35-27 victory over the visiting Olathe East Hawks Friday night. 

Free State (3-1) struck first courtesy of Maddon Brittingham’s 42-yard touchdown run down the right sideline, capping a lightning-quick 67-yard scoring drive. 

On their ensuing possession, Free State quarterback Finn Moore scrambled to convert a key fourth down from their own 43-yard line. Several plays later, Moore linked up with senior wideout Nello Allegrucci for a 12-yard touchdown strike, handing the Firebirds a 14-0 advantage entering the second quarter.

Looking to dig out of its early hole, Olathe East rolled the dice on fourth-and-17 in their own territory and converted. The gamble paid dividends after Jaden Scott’s short rushing touchdown cut Free State’s lead to 14-7. 

The Firebirds replied with a methodical 18-play, 88-yard scoring drive, featuring several third down conversions. Moore ultimately punctuated the drive with a quarterback keeper to put the Firebirds in front 21-7 at the half.

After a promising start to the second half, Olathe East saw its drive snuffed out by senior cornerback Greysen Rawls’ interception deep in Free State territory. The Firebirds quickly parlayed the miscue into points — catching the defense off-balance as Moore found Shawn Overstreet streaking down the right sideline for a 44-yard touchdown — staking Free State to a commanding 28-7 advantage.

Olathe East (1-3) marched downfield on the ensuing possession, and trailed 28-14 after Benji Burton’s short touchdown scamper. The Firebirds quickly replied with another scoring drive, as Overstreet hauled in a 35-yard touchdown reception on a playaction pass from Moore for a 35-14 lead.

Mounting a late rally, Burton secured a short pass and bolted 82 yards to the endzone after a Free State defender fell to the turf on the play. Olathe East tacked on another touchdown with under a minute remaining in regulation, whittling the deficit to 35-27. The Firebirds prevailed after recovering an onside kick and running out the clock. 

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart said his squad was a bit conservative late as they looked to milk the clock. 

“We were trying to run out the clock when we probably should have just kept trying to score,” he said, “but I thought our offense was fantastic tonight.” 

The Firebirds racked up 274 yards on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. Brittingham finished with 138 yards on 18 carries — while Moore added 115. Overstreet concluded the contest with five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Moore finished 7 of 11 for 146 yards through the air. 

“We were trying to attack what the defense gave us, and I think we were able to do that on the outside,” Stewart said. “[Olathe East’s] kids in the secondary were not as good as our receivers, but at the same time, we’ve got to make them come up and defend the run.” 

Free State was 5-for-11 on third down conversions and 1-for-3 on fourth down. Stewart, however, was not pleased that his squad allowed Olathe East to convert all four of its fourth down plays — also yielding four third down conversions. 

“Defense has been our Achilles’ heel so far this season,” Stewart said, “and third down defense has been a glaring issue.”

On a brighter note, Stewart singled out Rawls for his virtuoso performance. Rawls came up with a key tackle on special teams that may have averted a touchdown. And on the timely interception, he said he was surprised to see the ball coming his direction.

“I just caught it, looked up and didn’t know what to do,” Rawls said with a wry smile. 

The Firebirds square off with Olathe South in a road clash Oct. 3. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Olathe District Activity Center. Olathe South moved to 2-2 after falling to Shawnee Mission East Thursday night.

 

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.