The first two-thirds of the high school football season meant nothing. The last one-third means everything.

That’s the second-season approach Free State, with a paltry 1-5 record, is taking into Class 6A district play.

“We’ve been talking about that pretty heavily,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said, “that this is the most important part of the season.”

The Firebirds will begin their three-game district season tonight against Topeka High. Game time will be 7 p.m. at either Memorial Stadium or Haskell Stadium.

If new goal posts arrive today to replace the ones razed by Kansas University students following Saturday’s 31-28 victory over Kansas State, the Firebirds will play at KU’s facility. If not, Free State officials have received permission to play at Haskell.

Where the Firebirds play, however, concerns Lisher less than how they play.

“Our kids understand that if we hang on to the ball and play defense,” Lisher said, “we should be competitive with everybody.”

Turnovers and penalties cost the Firebirds dearly in the first five weeks. Free State averaged two touchdowns a game in that dismal five-game stretch, but lost every game, mainly because of mistakes.

“Our defense wasn’t that bad,” Lisher said. “We just put the ball on the ground too many times in places that gave the other teams good field position.”

Free State finally erased the victory-column goose egg with a 31-11 triumph over Olathe Northwest last week.

“Our outlook before the season was that we’d be a better team after the third game,” Lisher said. “I didn’t think it would be after the fifth game, but we had all those fumbles and penalties.”

Free State will go into district competition without the two players who opened the season at linebacker, Andy Petz and Corey Galloway. Petz has a foot in a cast, and Galloway has knee woes. Senior Danny Pike has replaced Petz, and sophomore Damien Dillon will make his first start as Galloway’s replacement tonight.

“Dillon came in during the first quarter last week when Galloway was hurt,” Lisher said, “and did an outstanding job.”

Topeka High, which ended a 17-game losing streak earlier in the season, has a 3-3 record. Free State clipped the Trojans, 28-7, in district play last season.

“Topeka High played well early, but has struggled lately,” Lisher said. “I’m sure their coaches are doing the same thing we are, telling their kids how important the district games are.”

Tonight is officially Free State’s home finale, but the Firebirds will meet Lawrence High a week from tonight at Haskell Stadium. Free State’s district finale will be Oct. 29 at Washburn Rural.