No Brian Murphy has been no problem for Free State High’s high-scoring football team.

Murphy, who has rushed for 665 yards and 12 touchdowns, has missed the Firebirds’ last seven quarters because of an ankle sprain. During that span, Free State has outscored its opponents, 109-27.

Murphy’s stint on the sidelines is expected to end, however, when Free State (7-0) meets Lawrence High (4-3) on Friday. The 5-foot-8, 163-pound senior speedster could be 100 percent by the 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Haskell Stadium.

“He’s up to 90 to 95 percent,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said Tuesday. “He seems to be getting better every day.”

Murphy was hurt late in the first quarter of the Firebirds’ 61-0 rout of Olathe Northwest two weeks ago. He could have played in last week’s 62-27 romp over Topeka High, but Lisher decided to hold him out and give him another week of healing time.

With Murphy at full speed Friday, the Firebirds’ 1-2 punch would be at full strength. Twin brother Ryan Murphy, who plays quarterback, leads the Sunflower League in total offense with 1,711 yards (999 passing, 712 rushing) and has accounted for 19 touchdowns.

However, two Free State regulars – linebacker Zack Toelkes and tackle Neal Smith – are listed as questionable for the intra-city battle.

Toelkes, a 5-11, 185-pound junior, missed last week’s game with a sprained ankle and is “day-to-day,” according to Lisher. Senior Bobby Burnham, also a back-up running back, replaced Toelkes.

Smith, a 6-2, 265-pound senior, has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. He returned to practice Monday and, Lisher said, “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Scott Williams, a 5-10, 250-pound junior, has been starting in Smith’s place.

Across town, Lawrence High coach Dirk Wedd is concerned about his bulkiest offensive lineman. Jake Lorenzo, a 6-1, 280-pound senior tackle, suffered a concussion late in Friday’s 31-7 victory at Washburn Rural.

“We won’t know until Wednesday or Thursday,” Wedd said, “but I doubt if he’ll play.”

If doctors don’t give Lorenzo clearance to suit, Wedd will be hoping to replace him with Patrick Johnson, but Johnson is also ailing. The 5-10, 230-pound senior tweaked an ankle two weeks ago and didn’t play against Washburn Rural.

“We’re trying to bring him along slowly,” Wedd said of Johnson. “He’s still not 100 percent.”

Lawrence High’s offensive line has been plagued by injuries this fall. Center Shawn Jimboy (concussion) and tackle Phillip Wahwahsuck (knee) have also missed games.

If Lorenzo and Johnson are unavailable, Wedd will use Chebon Dawes, a 6-2, 235-pound sophomore who subbed while Wahwahsuck was out.

¢
Arrive Early: Lawrence High officials are urging fans to purchase tickets early. They’ll be on sale from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and again on Thursday at the LHS finance office.

Ticket holders will be able to avoid the long lines at the three Haskell Stadium entrances. The longest lines always form on the north side because it’s near the largest parking area.

“People with tickets, particularly ones with passes, don’t need to get in the ticket line,” LHS athletic director Ron Commons said. “They can go right up to the ticket-takers.”

¢
Golden Age Passport: Although the policy isn’t heavily publicized, Douglas County residents ages 62 and older will be admitted free.

“That’s been a (school) district policy for years and years,” Commons said.