FSHS junior Keene Niemack (81) reacts to intercepting a Blue Valley High School pass Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 during the Firebirds' 14-7 Class 6A State semifinal victory. Niemack had two interceptions during the game.

Stilwell — Keene Niemack says he was just trying to make up for a mistake.

He ended up coming through with the biggest defensive play for the Free State Firebirds in their 14-7 victory over Blue Valley on Friday night.

Midway through the third quarter, with the game tied at 7, a Blue Valley receiver had gotten past Niemack in the secondary and was running uncovered toward the end zone.

“He gave me a double move. I bit on it. I was actually burnt, to be honest,” Niemack said with a smile. “I caught up on him a couple steps and just made a good break on the ball and timed it just right.”

With a high leap, Niemack fully extended his arms high into the air, catching the ball with his fingertips before falling flat on his back.

The athletic play saved a sure touchdown and also left Niemack’s coach stunned on the sideline.

“I think he jumped over the goal post to come down with that dadgum thing,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “He went up and made a heck of a play on that. That was a great, outstanding play when we needed it.”

It wasn’t the only time that Niemack shined on Friday.

With 5:20 left in the second quarter, Niemack halted a Blue Valley drive by bringing down an interception at the Free State 17.

“I had decent coverage, and the quarterback underthrew it and just put it right into my hands,” Niemack said. “That was as simple as it gets.”

Niemack’s two interceptions were just part of a dominant defensive performance for Free State.

The Firebirds allowed just 164 yards and also held the Tigers to 77 passing yards.

“We’re playing the best defense we can possibly play,” Niemack said.

The victory also was a little sweeter for Niemack, who already has seen his fair share of playoff defeats.

While playing for Lyndon the last two years, he had lost in the third round of the playoffs — twice.

This year, his third-playoff-game curse was broken.

“This is the big leap,” Niemack said. “Never in my life would I have thought I’d be playing in a state championship game.”

Niemack, who celebrated along with teammates and family outside the Free State locker room, called the victory “the greatest feeling I’ve probably ever had in my lifetime in any sport.”

That’s saying something, too. Niemack was a four-time Lyon County League champion in track and field last year. Two of his titles came in jumping events.

At Free State, though, his most famous leap most likely will be the one that led to his second interception and also helped the Firebirds to their first state championship game.

“That was about everything I had just to pull it in,” Niemack said. “I don’t know if I could have asked for any more on that play.”