It’s just another game.

That’s how the Free State High and Olathe North football teams are approaching today’s 7 p.m. matchup of 5-0 teams at the Olathe District Activities Center.

For all the game’s implications  the No. 1 versus the No. 4 Class 6A teams, O-North’s 30-game win streak against Free State’s best start in school history and a probable Sunflower League title on the line  both teams are correct.

“As a coach, you want every game to be important,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s just another game. A win or loss here is not going to make our season.”

When district play begins next week, the outcome of tonight’s game won’t affect any of the next three games. From there, the Firebirds and Eagles might meet in the playoffs, but neither team is looking toward that.

“There’s a little bit of tension in this game,” Eagles coach Gene Wier said. “All of them are important, but what’s important is that we play better than we did a week ago. We want that momentum heading into districts.”

For FSHS to stop North’s momentum, Lisher’s counting on an improved running game (365 yards rushing last week) and a big-play passing game to spread out the Eagles’ defense. It’s a tough task, considering they allow just 10 points and 185 yards a game.

If quarterback Matt Berner can consistently hit receivers Bijai Jones, Dain Dillingham, Cole Cruse and Ben Gray, it should provide room for running backs David Allen (161 yards last week), Cole Douglas and Joe Aber.

“We have to be able to run the football,” Lisher said. “We’re not a sophisticated offense that throws a lot of looks at you. We’re going to have to pick our spots and hope it goes from there.”

The Firebirds’ offense, which averages 190 yards rushing and 183 yards passing per game, will be the most balanced North has played since its opener against Shawnee Mission North. That 24-14 win and a 35-28 overtime win against pass-happy Shawnee Mission South two weeks ago have been the only two games the Eagles have struggled. But it doesn’t worry Wier too much.

“At this stage in the season, we’ve seen about everything,” Wier said. “I just hope we do it better than we played Shawnee Mission South.”

But for all the talk about preparing for district, Lisher knows he won’t have any trouble motivating his players. For Free State to assert itself among elite teams, tonight’s the night.

“Football is a very emotional game,” Lisher said. “You have to get yourself emotionally ready to play every game. The thing is, you don’t want to get caught up in that all the time. You have to channel that energy before you let it loose.”