Photograph: Special to Kahner Sampson/Journal-World

Free State senior Ryan Weishaar runs on the field during a playoff game against the Olathe West Owls on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Lawrence.

Free State football (6-3) began its quest for a state title with a 23-point win at home against Olathe West last week, but will likely be on the road for the remainder of the playoffs, finishing fifth starting Friday. – top-seeded Firebirds visit fourth-seeded Blue Valley Northwest Huskies (6-3).

This will be the second all-time meeting between the two schools and the first since 1999 with a 30-10 decision in favor of Blue Valley Northwest.

The Firebirds scored a season-high 49 points and scored on seven of eight completed drives.

“The thing that stood out the most was the offensive line,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “They did a really good job of executing the plan and blocking, getting to the right guys and then blocking the right guys.”

Stewart also said he was impressed with the play of point guard Boston Baker. Baker completed 18 of 25 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown; Most of these came in the first half, with Free State opting to control the second half clock on the field. Running back Ryan Weishaar was also impressive; He had 112 yards on 15 carries.

Throughout the season, the Firebird offense struggled to show some balance at times, but with Baker, a very talented pocket passer, returning from injury, as well as several running options like Weishaar, Parker Moore, and Bralin Preston, the Offense began to find its rhythm in the final minutes.

“I think we are at our best when we can run the ball effectively,” Stewart said. “It really opens up more of the passing game and I said last week it’s about positive plays for us, keeping the momentum and moving the ball forward. If we don’t keep the run going and we have to start with just passing, that opens up the opportunity for negative plays, which really gives our offense will cause harm.”

Blue Valley Northwest is no stranger to deep playoff runs in recent memory, including a state championship run in 2021. But the last two years haven’t been much better, as the Huskies have been eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive seasons. .

Despite the recent setbacks, Blue Valley Northwest is a balanced team full of playmakers and a strong front on both sides of the ball.

“They are very talented,” Stewart said. “Their skill players are fast, they’re faster than us, there’s no doubt about that… They’ve got some really good players on their defensive line and their secondary looks pretty fast to me.”

The Huskies’ talent goes far beyond recognition at the state level. Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Babalola is rated as a five-star prospect by 247Sports, ranked as the No. 11 player nationally and No. 2 at his position. Kansas State-committed offensive and defensive lineman Brock Heath is rated as a three-star prospect, while wide receiver Trevor Garlington is drawing interest from Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri and Northern Iowa.

With a strong offensive line, the Huskies could open up the running game with running back LJ Bowens. While they offer a talented group of receivers, they can also throw the deep ball, something the Free State defense doesn’t face every week, but the group is ready for any challenge presented.

“It really just comes down to being aggressive and trying to play the ball,” Stewart said. “When the ball is thrown in the air we have to be aggressive and break up passes, get the ball out or at least make it a contested catch because they are definitely going to make some shots.”

The reality of Friday’s matchup is simple: Somebody’s season will be over after 48 minutes of play and the Free State will need to top off the high level of effort he has shown all season long to continue their play-off run.

“We don’t want to finish, we’re starting to get going and we’re starting to play good football,” Stewart said. “We want to stay at the top for as long as possible and keep that momentum going.”

Kickoff at the Blue Valley Switzer Area Athletic Complex is set for 7 p.m.