Free State's Keene Niemack pressures the SMW quarterback.

Before the 2008 football season began, most people knew that Free State High coach Bob Lisher returned a running back who had rushed for 1,000 yards in 2007.

What many did not know was that Lisher nearly had two.

In addition to the return of senior tailback Chucky Hunter, who ran for 1,090 yards in 10 games in ’07, the Firebirds welcomed Keene Niemack to the team. Niemack, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior transfer from Lyndon High, just missed hitting the 1,000-yard mark as a sophomore for the Tigers. A move to Lawrence in the offseason brought that ability to Free State, where Lisher has used Niemack in a different way than he was accustomed.

With Hunter and junior quarterback Camren Torneden gobbling up yards, Niemack went to defense. He was an all-league defensive back at Lyndon but was moved to linebacker to fit the Firebirds’ scheme.

“His speed allows him to make up for some things he’s not used to doing as a linebacker,” Lisher said. “But he’s definitely been a postitive addition to our program.”

During the Firebirds’ season opener, Niemack flashed his ability by picking up a bouncing kickoff and racing 76 yards for a touchdown against Shawnee Mission West. The next game, he was in the starting lineup.

“I was a little skeptical coming in about whether I could play,” Niemack said. “Coming from a tiny school, I just didn’t know. But when I got the start in the second game, that made me feel pretty good.”

Niemack said the biggest difference between 6A football in the Sunflower League and 2A-1A ball in Lyndon has been the larger rosters.

He said his biggest challenge has been adjusting to playing his new position while lacking linebacker size.

“I’m probably the smallest linebacker in the state of Kansas,” he said. “But I like it. I don’t have as much responsibility now. At Lyndon, I touched the ball about every play. But my new role puts more pressure on me and makes me focus. I can’t take plays off because I don’t want to let the other 10 guys on the field down.”

As for his future at Free State, Niemack said he would welcome a return to running back, and Lisher smiled when talking about the many different ways he could use him.