Parents, friends, classmates and other supporters of Free State High School’s football team will gather to see the team off and then caravan to Saturday’s state title game against Junction City in Topeka. To tag along, meet in the west parking lot — that’s the one near the athletics fields — at 1 p.m. Saturday; the team leaves about 1:30 p.m.

The game begins at 3:30 p.m. at Washburn University’s Yager Stadium.

After the game, supporters will gather to celebrate at 7 p.m. in the commons area at the school, 4700 Overland Drive. Pizzas, snacks and other refreshments are being provided to the team by local businesses, and five large sheet cakes will be available for everyone attending.

Deb Werts, co-chair of the team’s booster organization, reports that the cakes will mix together “Congratulations,” “Free State Firebirds” and “2008,” while the last line remains to be written.

“I’ll call in the bottom about 5:30 or 6,” she says.

The ultimate phrasing: either “A Season to Remember,” or, as supporters would prefer, “STATE CHAMPIONS.”