>> Firebirds 2024 schedule <<

Free State comes into the 2024 season with big expectations. After finishing 5-4 in 2022, the Firebirds took a step up with a 7-3 campaign in 2023 and winning a playoff game.

This season, the Firebirds look to continue their uphill climb towards competing not only for a Sunflower League title, but for a Class 6A title as well.

Offensively, the Firebirds return some key rushing and receiving leaders that should take the load off the shoulders of their new starting quarterback, senior Boston Baker (6-foot-2, 200) Baker has long since been in line for the starting job but has been a program guy that head coach Kevin Stewart is very excited for.

“(Baker) has all the ability he needs to be successful! He’s been in our program for four years and has been in line to start for some time. Unfortunately, he has been hit with the injury bug and has had season-ending knee surgery two years in a row. If he can stay healthy, he has great ability and will do a great job.”

Baker will not have to go at it alone, as stated before. He has plenty of returning experience to work with. The Firebirds’ 2023 backup running back, senior Ryan Weishaar (5-foot-10, 200), will be the incumbent starter, with the Firebirds having solid depth and competition behind him. Weishaar carried the ball 53 times for 207 yards last season and will get his shot to get a greater share of the load in 2024, however, will have strong competition for the starting role in senior Noah Simpson (5-foot-10, 180) and sophomore Nez Douglas (5-foot-9, 150).

The Firebirds also return two leading receivers. Senior Landon Leipold (6-foot-1, 180) will be taking the reins as wide receiver No. 1 this season, with fellow senior Bralin Preston (6-foot, 180) being a more than capable No. 2 option. Leipold, son of Kansas head coach Lance Leipold, caught 26 passes for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Preston caught 25 passes for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2023. The depth at wide receiver will be a major strength as well, such as senior Liam Stramberg (6-0, 190) and soph Maddon Brittingham (6-foot-1, 185) waiting for their shot to make big plays.

The Firebird offensive line though is perhaps their biggest strength in 2024. Free State brings back four returning starters from 2023 and has FBS Power Five-level talent in their trenches. Junior Braden Wilmes (6-foot-8, 280) is the player to watch, with multiple Power Five offers and a great skillset to boot. He will be alongside experienced seniors Hiram Kahungura (6-foot-1, 265), Lawson Brunghardt (6-foot-3, 285), Alex Risley (6-foot-3, 265) and junior Reece Worley (6-foot-1, 270). An offensive line that brings the beef, Baker should have no problem staying clean in the pocket and there should be plenty of holes for the running backs to get through.

Another strong candidate for Free State’s biggest strength is their strong defense, of which Stewart has taken great pride.

“For us to be successful, our defense will need to be a great advantage for us. In 2023 our defense surrendered 17.9 points per game, and kept us in each and every game all year, i.e. - in our playoff loss against Manhattan we gave up 21 points, their lowest offensive total since 2021, and the defense gave us several opportunities to compete in that game.”

This Firebird defense returns six starters this year and a host of key contributors. Their front seven stays mostly intact from last year, with starting defensive tackle Hyrum Vaeono (6-foot-3, 295), defensive end Blaine Larkin (6-foot-4, 225), linebacker and leading tackler from last year with 92 tackles Crow Bengoa (5-foot-11, 210), and linebacker Parker Moore (6-foot-3 220) all returning for 2024. This front seven also has some younger talent as well that could very well make appearances, with sophomore defensive end Garrison Oatis (6-foot-2, 215) making waves as a potential strong contributor as well as junior linebacker Draven Samuel (6-foot-3, 215).

This front seven will be an absolute force this season, with weight and physicality to throw around as well as experience and skill. Should they continue their success from last year into this season and mesh into the scheme well, this will be one of the better units in the state.

What’s a strong defense though without a strong secondary? The Firebirds also have plenty of talent patrolling the skies this season. Returning starters in the defensive backfield include seniors Ethan Prescott (6-foot-2, 185) and Noah Rupp (6-foot-2, 170). Rupp accounted for 56 tackles last season making him one of the more consistent returning tacklers on the team. Joining these two will be up-and-comer and key contributor from 2023, Noah Simpson (5-foot-10, 180), who will play both defensive back and running back. Also seeing time at safety will be senior Havea Hafoka (6-foot-2, 205) and soph Finn Moore (6-0, 185).

A group with a lot of skill and ability to compete at a high level, this defense is set to be a force to be reckoned with once again this season. Given the amount of returning starters from last year, the meshing into a cohesive unit and understanding the scheme should not be an issue for this squad, who looks to even improve on last year’s successful numbers.

Overall, the Firebirds have a team with a lot of experience and depth to work with, and look to compete for a Sunflower League title – and beyond.