Recap and Gallery: Football vs. Lawrence Free State

In a close game filled with fumbles and turnovers, the Lancers fell to the Lawrence Free State Firebirds 17-10. Although the squad pulled out another last-second play to put the game into overtime, East was unable to score, causing their first loss of the season and putting their record to 5-1.

With senior Christian Blessen cleared to play after earlier injury concerns, the Lancer offense expected to continue to deliver on rushing plays up the middle of the field. After getting down 10-0 due to a fumble in their redzone, the Lancers needed to find an offensive boost.

The East defense, meanwhile, was effective throughout the game in shutting down Free State senior quarterback Joe Dineen, who leads the Sunflower League with 1,029 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. Junior Kyle Ball and senior Ryan Carter led a defensive attack for the entire game, putting pressure on Dineen’s pocket that led to sacks and inaccurate passing.

With two and a half minutes left in the third quarter, Blessen and his offensive line delivered a powerful rush, scoring on fourth down and inches. The team then led two identical, fruitless marches down the field, getting to the Free State 30 yard line before fumbling.

A long pass from Blessen to junior Charley White allowed senior kicker Collin Burns to tie the game with a field goal with 35 seconds left in the game. Free State was stopped by powerful blitzing from the East defense, putting the game into overtime.

East fans were familiar with the overtime format after last week’s game against SM South — each team has four downs from the 10 yard line to attempt to score. Free State’s senior running back  Stan Skwarlo drove for an easy touchdown, putting Free State up 17-10. East tried consecutive pass plays, but each pass barely missed the hands of junior wide receiver Alec Dean. With a scoreless overtime possession, East lost the game 17-10.

The loss puts East’s record at 5-1, tying them with Free State for the top spot in the Sunflower League. Next week, the Lancers will take on SM Northwest. Can’t make it to the game? Catch the live broadcast here.