If Free State High wrestling coach Darrell Andrew has his way today, there will be a lot of hunter green and silver on display next weekend at the Class 6A state wrestling tournament in Wichita.

The top four placers in the 14 weight classes from today’s Class 6A regional at Olathe South qualify for state. Lawrence, Leavenworth, Olathe East, Olathe North, Olathe South, Topeka and Topeka Washburn Rural complete the regional field. First-round matches are scheduled for 9 a.m. Consolation finals are 4:15 p.m. with finals at 5:15 p.m.

“I think we have a real legitimate shot of getting 11 guys through,” said Andrew, whose teams have been successful at regional the past couple of years. “We hope to have five or six guys in the finals. We need to do a better job wrestling in the back-door bracket.”

The Firebirds, ranked No. 8 in Class 6A, had five finalists at last week’s Sunflower League meet. At 171 pounds, junior Kyle Frank, now 23-8, was the lone Firebird to win a league title, the first in the program’s five-year history.

Andrew is eager to see senior Justin Stevens, his 189-pounder, back on the mat. In the league final, Stevens and Olathe South’s Justin Dyer, the top-ranked wrestler at 189, inadvertently butted heads in the first period. Stevens was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital with a concussion. Stevens, now 30-1, lost on an injury default to Dyer for his first setback of the season.

“We’ve been taking it easy with Justin,” Andrew said. “The doctor said he needed to have a week off from full contact and won’t have full contact until Saturday. Justin hasn’t showed any symptoms from the concussion. He’s been looking good.”

Stevens and Dyer, an Oklahoma University signee, will likely meet in the regional final.

Other Free State finalists at league were Matt Somers (119), Nick McGovern (160) and Ian B(215). Kyle Case (130) and Brett Shoffner (152) placed third and fourth, respectively, for Free State at league.

“We’ve had a lot of success at regional tournaments and I give a lot of credit to our tough schedule,” Andrew said. “We’re energized and refreshed for this regional. There’s no doubt it’s a very tough regional. I could see three or four eventual state champions come out of this regional.”

LHS is led by junior Aaron Madill (24-6), a league champion at 160 pounds.

LHS junior heavyweight Kenny Poeverlein II is in position to qualify for state after placing second at league. Chris Hultine (135) and Carl Lisher (171) both placed third at league and should challenge for state berths.