Overland Park ? Don’t think the Free State High football squad didn’t listen to its coaches all week – or to its critics.

The Firebirds knew the rap they had acquired entering the third game of the season – a team that plays well early but can’t finish.

Against Shawnee Mission Northwest on Friday, the Firebirds proved not only could they compete, they also could complete.

Quarterback Ryan Murphy contributed the game-winning touchdown run, then two minutes later picked off quarterback Alex Carder to help seal a 28-21 victory at Northwest’s homecoming celebration at SM South District Stadium.

“I was definitely happy that we finally finished in the fourth quarter,” Free State linebacker Andy Petz said. “Coach (Bob Lisher) was telling us he’d meet people on the street that asked, ‘When are your boys going to finally finish in the fourth quarter?’ We knew it already, but that was kind of a shocker – it wakes you up really fast.”

Free State responded when it needed to, this time in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 21.

Facing a third-and-four from his own 26, Murphy found an open Ben Bell on the right side. After making the catch, the receiver spun towards the sideline and sped past the Cougar defense, racing 56 yards to the Northwest 18.

Murphy made sure the Firebirds came away with a TD. On third-and-goal, the junior surged forward behind the line to give his team a 27-21 lead with 5:41 remaining.

“I was just glad to have the ball in my hands,” Murphy said. “I always want to have the ball in my hands.”

Free State’s defense came up with the big play it needed on the next possession.

Carder floated a 39-yard pass to Sam Jacobsen to put the Cougars in the red zone, but the next play Murphy stepped in front of a Northwest receiver for a game-changing interception.

“It was a big play,” Murphy said. “They had just caught that long ball on me on the sideline. I was just thinking I had to make a play.”

Northwest had one last chance on its own 47 with 46 seconds to go, but consecutive sacks from Petz and Mikel Ruder ended the game.

“Coach had a blitz called, and it sort of looked like the parting of the seas,” Petz said of his sack. “It just opened right up there for me.”

The Firebirds saw both how good and bad they could be in the first quarter.

On the first play from scrimmage, Murphy fumbled – one of seven on the day for Free State – to give it to Northwest.

After a missed Cougar field goal, running back Brian Murphy took the second play from scrimmage 80 yards to the end zone for the Firebirds’ first touchdown.

• 6Sports video: Firebirds rip Cougars (09-16-05)

On the ensuing kickoff, Northwest’s Chase Mejia brought back a reverse 86 yards to make it 8-6.

But Ryan Murphy would not be outdone. The junior returned the following kickoff 56 yards to set up his 21-yard touchdown run four plays later.

“We looked good at times, but sometimes we looked really bad,” Murphy said. “In the end we finally stuck it out, played hard the fourth quarter, and came out on top.”

Murphy’s 12-yard touchdown pass gave Free State a 21-6 lead in the second quarter, but Northwest scored the next 15 points to make it close. In fact, the Cougars could have taken the lead in the third quarter, but Tyler Shepard dropped a PAT snap.

Brian Murphy led Free State with 133 yards on 18 carries. The back did not play most of the third quarter because of injury.

Brother Ryan Murphy added 22 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, with 158 yards and one touchdown in the air.

The Firebirds prevailed despite five turnovers.

“That’s been our bugaboo for a long time,” Lisher said. “You turn the ball over five times against anybody, and you’re going to struggle to win the football game.”