After winning the coin toss, Free State’s football team elected to defer to Olathe West. Yet it merely delayed the inevitable.

The Firebirds forced the opposition into a punt after three plays on the first drive and wasted no time sending a message. Free State scored on the second offensive play of the 2018 season and never looked back, scoring 27 points in the first quarter during a 41-0 win Friday at Olathe District Activity Center.

It marked Olathe West’s first-ever loss as the program began its first varsity football season in school history.

“They were hyped and they should be,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “It was their first varsity game. Our guys did a nice job of making some big plays early to take the wind out of the sails.”

Regardless of the opponent, the Firebirds, who are ranked No. 2 in Class 6A via Kpreps, expect to have an explosive showing on a weekly basis.

Free State (1-0) ran a total of 15 plays in the first quarter, scoring four touchdowns. The lone mistake was on an extra point, which kept the Firebirds from pouring in 28 points in the first 12 minutes of action.

Following a short run by senior Jax Dineen, the Firebirds demonstrated their firepower. Junior quarterback Malik Berry hit senior receiver Keenan Garber on a seam route for a 44-yard touchdown pass.

For the full story, read the Lawrence Journal-World