Free State High has not been around long enough to take championships for granted.

So the Firebirds, playing their 11th season, don’t make a habit of it.

Tonight, when FSHS plays host to Olathe Northwest at 7 p.m. at Haskell Stadium, the Class 6A, District 4 title will be up for grabs.

“Any time you can win a district championship and be in control of your own destiny, it’s a big deal,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “Our kids will be ready to compete, and they’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

Free State enters the contest at 5-3 overall and 2-0 in district play. The Firebirds knocked off Leavenworth, 55-21, two weeks ago and upended Lawrence High, 21-13, last week.

Olathe Northwest will hit the field at 1-7 overall and 1-1 in district play, after a loss to LHS (28-7) and a victory against Leavenworth (34-14).

Because of the 13-point tiebreaker system, it would take a monster effort – on Halloween night, no less – for the Ravens to take home the district title. Northwest would have to defeat Free State by 13 points or more to take the title. And the Firebirds plan to do everything in their power to keep ONW from getting anywhere close to the trophy.

The reasons for that vary.

Senior receiver Preston Randolph said tonight’s showdown was a big deal because of what it means to his class’s legacy.

Fellow senior Matt Franz said the game was big because of what it means for the rest of the season.

“If we win, we get homefield advantage in the playoffs,” Franz said. “Hopefully we can get rolling a little bit and make a run.”

Regardless of the reasons to get up for the Ravens – a list that includes tonight’s game being Senior Night – Lisher said the only thing that mattered was that his team came out prepared to execute like it had in recent weeks.

After a 1-2 start and a handful of early trouble, the Firebirds found their footing and have been consistent of late.

“We’re so much better now than we were at the beginning of the year,” Lisher said. “We’re not perfect yet. We can still get better, but we’ve been improving consistently each week.”

Northwest features two of the Sunflower League’s fastest players in juniors Devon Boyce and Shawn Smith.

“They both have great speed,” Lisher said. “And our goal is not to let that speed get started.”