Brett Lisher wants to get people talking about Lawrence Free State football – and he knows his team’s best chance to do it will be tonight against Olathe East.

“Our school has never really been high into football here, and we’re going to try to turn that around this year,” the Free State H-back said. “If we start beating some better opponents – if we get a victory against O-East – then maybe we can get a little more excited and have a better season.”

Coming off a 27-9 victory over Shawnee Mission Northwest last week, Free State will get the chance to make waves tonight when it travels to perennial powerhouse Olathe East for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Hawks are ranked No. 3 in one class 6A poll.

Though it’s only week two, coach Bob Lisher knows it’s already examination time for his young Firebird team.

“It’s time that we had the big test,” Bob Lisher said, “to find out just how good we’re going to be.”

Olathe East promises to be just that.

The Hawks rolled to a 32-13 win over Olathe Northwest last week, led by third-year starting quarterback Derek Miller and junior running back Demetrius Bell.

Miller passed for a Sunflower League-best 148 yards and a touchdown, and Bell contributed 18 carries for 113 yards with three scores.

The junior back finished third in the 100-meter dash at last year’s state meet as a sophomore.

“They have lots and lots of speed,” Lisher said, “and also some big kids up front that are very physical kids and know how to play.”

Free State will counter with junior running back Brian Murphy, who compiled 146 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s game.

Lisher emphasized that his team needed to limit its errors to have a chance to compete. Last week, the Firebirds were charged with eight penalties and also had a few mishandled snaps.

“It’s always tough to play Olathe East in Olathe … it’s tough to play them anywhere,” Lisher said. “Our focus is just doing our assignments better and not making so many mistakes.”

Free State hung tough with East last season, leading 14-10 in the fourth quarter before allowing 27 unanswered points in a 37-14 loss. The Hawks ended the season with a 9-2 record.

“You only have so many opportunities,” Lisher said, “but this is one where we can gauge ourselves to see how good of a football team we are because we know how good they are.”

Brett Lisher said he looked forward to the challenge – and also the chance to create a buzz about Free State’s football team.

“If we come out and play the way that we can, I think we can get the job done,” Brett Lisher said. “Hopefully we can get people around here a little more excited about Lawrence football.”