The part of the spoiler now falls on Free State High.

A year ago, Shawnee Mission Northwest ruined Free State’s homecoming with a 26-13 victory at Memorial Stadium.

The roles have been reversed this season, as the Firebirds will travel to take on the Cougars at 7 p.m. in their homecoming today. The game will be played at Shawnee Mission South’s field.

“Northwest beat us, but we had a hand in that by not doing what we needed to do,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “We can’t change that, but we can sure learn from it and not let it repeat itself.”

The bad memories have been especially strong for Firebirds running back Brian Murphy. He rushed for 149 yards in the game a year ago, but that’s not what he remembers most.

With five minutes remaining and Free State down six, Murphy coughed up the ball in Northwest territory.

“It was probably the worst day of my life … dropping a fumble on a winning drive like that,” Murphy said. “I definitely want these guys bad.”

Free State (1-1) will have something to prove after failing to complete what it started last week.

The team marched inside Olathe East’s 10-yard-line on its first three possessions – racking up 150 yards of offense – but came away with no points in a 28-6 loss to the No. 3-ranked Hawks.

This week’s objective is clear.

“Our motto has been to finish,” Murphy said. “This last game we didn’t finish very well in the red zone, and we’ve been picking up the intensity a lot more.”

The Firebirds will look to not only finish drives but also the game as well. With 10 starters playing both offense and defense, Free State showed signs of fatigue against East, allowing a pair of late touchdowns.

Murphy said the team wanted to prove last week’s performance was the exception instead of the rule.

“There’s been a rumor going around town how we can’t play in the fourth quarter,” Murphy said. “Everyone wants to break that rumor right now.”

Northwest enters the game with an identical 1-1 record, losing its opener to Shawnee Mission East, 10-3, before defeating Shawnee Mission South, 21-7, last week.

Free State will focus most on running back Tyler Shepherd, the second-leading rusher in the Sunflower League with 278 yards.

“We’re going to have to finish each drive because Shawnee Mission Northwest is a big, physical football team,” Lisher said. “It’s going to be another hard-hitting, grind-it-out affair.”

Murphy said Northwest’s celebration would be used as motivation.

“We can get revenge by beating them on their homecoming after they beat us on ours,” Murphy said. “It should be a pretty fun game.”

OFFENSE

QB-Ryan Murphy, 5-10, 170, Jr. TB-Brian Murphy, 5-8, 165, Jr. H-Back-Brett Lisher, 6-0, 195, Sr. WR-Nick Ayre, 6-1, 165, Sr. WR-Ben Bell, 5-11, 165, Sr.

TE-Christian Ballard, 6-4, 245, Jr. LT-Jesse Hardy, 5-8, 215, Sr. LG-Jimmy Bruce, 6-2, 205, Jr. C-Kyle Weinmaster, 6-0, 220, Jr. RG-Mikel Ruder, 6-4, 235, Jr. RT-Chris Coffey, 6-1, 275, Sr.

PK-Andrew Thompson, 6-0, 165, Sr.

DEFENSE

OLB-Ballard. LT-Weinmaster. NT-Ruder. RT-Coffey. OLB-Brian Murphy. ILB-Andy Petz, 6-1, 210, Jr. ILB-Bruce.

SS-Bell. LC-Ryan Murphy. RC-Ayre. FS-Lisher.

P-Mike Vaughan, 6-2, 230, Jr.