Free State High senior Zack Sanders completed the touchdown trifecta in the first half, and added another score after the break to fuel the Firebirds to a 41-7 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest Friday at SM North District Stadium.

Sanders accounted for two touchdowns in a 69-second span late in the first quarter, after hauling in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Dallas Crittenden and returning an interception 23 yards for a score on the SM Northwest ensuing drive to put Free State up 14-0.

"I love the feeling because if one side of the ball is not going right, I can always count on the other side of the ball," Sanders said. "I always want to be able to contribute on one side of the ball or another."

The Free State senior found the end zone for a third time with 41 seconds left in the first half on a 58-yard punt return that he took back to the house to give the Firebirds a 28-7 advantage going into the break.

Sanders' fourth and final touchdown came in the third quarter on a 29-yard pass from Crittenden, and he had a fifth score called back on his second interception due to a block in the back penalty.

"He's out there to make plays, and he made some plays," Free State coach Bob Lisher said. "He's a good enough athlete in this league and hopefully at the next level to make some plays, too. We kind of count on him a lot, and sometimes a little too much."

While Sanders served as a weapon in all three phases of the game, the Firebirds were still without one of their other dynamic players in senior running back Zion Bowlin — who was sidelined with an ankle injury that he sustained in Free State's Week 3 loss to Park Hill.

Sophomore Jax Dineen was inserted into Bowlin's starting spot, and did not disappoint for the most part. Dineen rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and also scoring on a 12-yard reception from Crittenden. The 5-foot 11-inch, 215-pound bruising back nearly had a second touchdown on the ground, but fumbled just short of the goal line.

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