Nothing can stop Free State High twins Brian and Ryan Murphy – except mid-game cramps.

The Murphys have combined for nine touchdowns in their first two football games, but cramps have sent them to the sideline in each outing.

Now both have taken precautions to guard against a recurrence in tonight’s game against Shawnee Mission North.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. at Haskell Stadium. Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 will carry a delayed telecast at 10:30 p.m.

“I’ve been doing pretty much anything I can to prevent it,” senior quarterback Ryan Murphy said. “I am confident this game that it will be over with.”

The Murphys have hydrated constantly, ingested potassium pills, eaten bananas and plan to drink Rehydralite – a liquid designed for sick children – before and during tonight’s game. They visited a doctor Tuesday to have blood drawn, hoping for an explanation.

Free State (2-0) must avoid psychological pitfalls as well. After defeating powerhouse Olathe East, 33-28, last Friday, the Firebirds will face an SM North team ranked 10th out of 12 teams in the preseason Sunflower League poll.

Free State defeated SM North, 27-9, last season.

“The coaches keep us humble every week,” Murphy said. “You’ve got to go into the game thinking that there is a target on our back.”

The target may be on Free State’s back, but coach Bob Lisher stressed the strength and fleetness of an SM North team that defeated Leavenworth, 40-11, last week. He singled out senior wide receiver Landon Murrell, who has eight catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns this year.

“They have got several kids back from last year with speed,” Lisher said. “But Landon Murrell is a top-flight receiver who’s a big, tall kid with speed who makes great catches. We have to do a good job defending him.”

Stopping the run game could be of greater concern. The Firebirds allowed 275 rushing yards to Olathe East. To stop Nico Yoch and the rest of SM North’s running backs, Lisher has emphasized hitting hard while maintaining proper tackling fundamentals, including wrapping up.

“All the coaches are always big into that,” senior nose guard Mikel Ruder said. “Having intensity is going to be the main key.”

Olathe East gained more than 80 rushing yards in the fourth quarter.

“We were a much better defensive team in the first quarter than we were in the fourth quarter,” Lisher said. “We got a little bit sloppy in the fourth quarter.”

Still, a cramp-free game from the Murphys remains a priority.

“We’re taking some steps to help remedy that situation,” Lisher said. “Eventually, we’ll find the right steps.”