Senior Craig Rosenstengle was the Firebirds' leading receiver in 2006, but he's making the move to quarterback for 2007.

If 11th-year Free State High football coach Bob Lisher has a good hand, he’s keeping it close to his chest. As he observed and coached his team in the preseason August heat, it was difficult to tell if he was looking at a royal flush or a pair.

Ask Lisher about his expectations this year, following an 11-1 2006 campaign, and he’ll tell you it’s too early to know what the 2007 squad is capable of doing.

“We’re trying to become a better football team and a more physical team,” Lisher said.

If the Firebirds’ head man has a tell, it’s that he wants his players to be more physical.

“We’ve got some pretty talented skill people. We’ve got some big offensive linemen, they’ve just got to get a little more physical and understand that if you don’t come off the football hard at this level, you’re not going to come off the football and win,” Lisher said.

The offensive linemen Lisher will be counting on are starting guards Scott Williams and Kevin Coleman, right tackle Graham Saunders, either Colter Scott or Matt Frantz at left tackle, and either John Bergman or Michael Lisher at center.

Quarterback Craig Rosenstengle and running back Chucky Hunter, both of whom broke off long runs in the team’s intrasquad scrimmage August 18, highlight the talented skill players.

Lisher said the Firebirds again will be a run-dominant team.

“I still expect us to be 70-30 run-pass like we were last year. I think we have the athletic ability to be that way,” he said. “Chucky can carry the load running the football.”

Senior linebacker Ryder Werts marveled at the ability of Rosenstengle, who he said might be a better passer than last year’s starter, Ryan Murphy, and Hunter, whom Werts backs up at tailback.

“It’s because of his moves,” Werts said of what makes Hunter so good. “I don’t know what it is, but if you get a hand on him … you don’t have a hand on him.”

When Rosenstengle is throwing the ball this year, his targets will be wide receivers Caleb Gress, Preston Randolph and Jason Sneegas and tight end Mike Santee.

On the other side of the ball, Lisher said the team’s strength will be at linebacker because four of the five it will rely upon this year in its defensive scheme – which incorporates a middle linebacker with two “dog” backers and a pair of “bandits” – saw significant action last season.

Hunter, a junior, will join seniors Werts, Santee, Gress and Zack Toelkes as the foundation of the Firebirds’ defense.

Senior nose guard Kevin Coleman, senior left end Williams and junior right end Saunders will man the trenches in front of their ‘backer mates.

Cornerbacks Rosenstengle and Sneegas and free safety Randolph will be the last line of defense for Free State. Lisher said sophomore Camren Torneden should see reserve action in the secondary as well.

As far as special teams goes, Lisher said Sneegas will handle kickoffs, field goals and extra points. The punting responsibilities are up in the air. Either Colter Scott or Kirk Resseguie will punt when the season starts.

Hunter and Randolph will utilize their speed as returners on punts and kickoffs for Free State.

If Lisher is holding a royal flush, the Firebirds may have a shot at defending their Sunflower League crown.

“You never rule it out, obviously,” Lisher said when asked if they could repeat. “We lost some key people last year, but we also have some people that are capable this year. It’s just a matter of them growing up in a hurry and coming together as a team.”

Free State, picked fourth in the preseason league coaches poll, opens at home with preseason favorite Olathe South.

“We’ll find out early just how good we’re going to be,” Lisher said.

Senior linebacker and tight end Santee is looking forward to the opener.

“I think it’s going to give us a real challenge,” he said, adding that Free State can prove it’s better than fourth by beating number one.

That would be a solid start for a team that returns only seven starters, but wants to get back to the playoffs.

“We’re reminded every day to strive for the state semis, state playoffs,” Toelkes said.

If Free State advances that far, perhaps Lisher will drop the poker face.