WICHITA — Free State High football players didn’t want to get into a shootout with Wichita Northwest in the Class 6A quarterfinals on Friday.

After the two teams combined for 41 points in the first quarter, the Firebirds knew their defense needed to step up.

Free State’s defense responded by forcing five straight punts, and the offense never stopped rolling in a 52-34 victory at Northwest Stadium. The Firebirds will go on the road to play Derby (10-1) in the semifinals Friday.

The top-seeded Grizzlies (10-1) drove down the field for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter. On their next 10 drives, the Firebirds held them to four first downs and caused five turnovers.

“Well, what was going through my mind? Panic, basically,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said of the high-scoring first quarter. “We made some adjustments, and the kids carried them out.”

For more, read the LJWorld.com