The Kansas City Ambassadors named Free State High football coach Bob Lisher coach of the week Thursday at the team’s practice fields.

Representatives presented Lisher and athletic director Steve Grant a $500 check to the school. Free State players kneeled on one knee and listened to the presentation.

Lisher remained humble afterward and you could tell he was ready to get on the field and start practice. One representative from the ambassadors jokingly told Lisher “you’re the man” when he first stepped on the field. Lisher half-smiled and replied, “Well, some people think so.” He refused to take all the credit for the award.

“It’s a big honor, but it’s a direct reflection on our players,” Lisher said. “Obviously, when you have good players, it gives you a chance to be coach of the week.”

Much of the reason for Lisher’s selection came from the 33-28 victory last week against Olathe East, which advanced to the Class 6A state championship game last season. Two weeks ago, Free State opened its season on the road with a 60-0 blanking of Leavenworth.

Free State will take on Shawnee Mission North (1-1) at 7 tonight at Haskell Stadium. Lisher said the Firebirds couldn’t just assume they were better than other teams because of the award presentation.

“If we’re better this week than we were last week, that’s what we’re after and that’s our motivation to practice hard,” Lisher said. “Hopefully, their heads are still screwed on straight and we can do that.”

The ambassadors, retired Kansas City Chiefs players, give the award out on a weekly basis to Kansas City metro high schools – one for Kansas and one for Missouri. At the end of the season, they select a coach of the year from the candidates.