During his 27 years of coaching football, Free State head coach Bob Lisher has been a part of some pretty special teams.

There were the Lawrence High teams that won state under his watchful eye as the Lions’ defensive coordinator. And then there were his three years at Blue Valley North, where he improved the Mustangs’ record each season before returning to Lawrence in 1997 to become the first head coach at Free State, where he has coached every game since.

All are great memories capable of sparking flashbacks as interesting as the day is long.

“To me, every season is rewarding because each season has new challenges and new rewards,” Lisher said.

And then there’s the 2008 season at Free State, a year that ended with Lisher’s Firebirds hoisting the runner-up trophy at the state title game, one victory — one drive — shy of winning the state title.

“Of course, when you look at this season in terms of what we accomplished and how far we advanced and all that, it’s definitely right up there with the best of them,” Lisher said. “But, to me, they really are all special in their own way.”

Such a statement offers a peek into the mind of the Lawrence native who calls creating a family atmosphere his biggest strength. Never was that more true than during the Firebirds’ magical march of 2008. The run began with his wagon stuck in the mud. The Firebirds stumbled out of the gates at 1-2, and many were doubting whether this team had what it took to be great.

Lisher never doubted.

“Sometimes it’s not easy to hold a team together after a 1-2 start,” he said. “But the kids hung in there, and things worked out great. Sometimes it’s just tough to get kids to believe in each other. Knowing it, believing it and doing it are three different things, and our guys stuck with it and really came together down the stretch.”

Playoff wins against Shawnee Mission Northwest, Olathe North and Blue Valley took the Firebirds to new heights. The first of those two victories avenged regular-season losses. Through it all, Lisher’s message of family and togetherness and belief beamed through like a beacon of hope for a team that so desperately wanted to be special.

“I care about kids, and I think they know that,” Lisher said.

Great chemistry often starts at the top. And while Lisher is quick to share credit with his coaching staff and his seniors, the players themselves pointed to Lisher.

“Coach just kept believing in us no matter what,” senior Preston Randolph said. “He just kept it in our heads. We got a good win in the first round (of the playoffs), and, after that, losing wasn’t an option for us.”

When it was all said and done, the Firebirds finished this historic season with nine wins, three playoff victories and, perhaps most importantly, the belief that anything is possible.

“I’d coached in state championship games before where we didn’t have the most talent, but we had the best team, and I knew we had the potential to be the best team all along,” Lisher said. “To look at all we accomplished, personally, it means a great deal to me. You put in so much time to try to get the kids to be successful that, when it happens, it’s extremely gratifying.”