Free State High’s football team has gone through its ups and downs this season, but there’s been one thing missing — a victory at FSHS.

The Firebirds will look to change that against Topeka Washburn Rural at 7 tonight in the first week of districts. It’s the first meeting between the two schools since 2004.

Do the players enjoy this time of the year with spots in the playoffs on the line?

“It’s a lot of fun,” senior left tackle Scott Frantz said. “This is when it starts to matter. You don’t want to say the other games didn’t matter but these are ones that matter much more. It’s fun to know that this game Friday could determine whether we play in a few weeks or not.”

The Firebirds (3-3) snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory over Shawnee Mission South last week, and are finally getting some of their injured players back on both sides of the ball.

“We’ve had some breakdowns here and there that have affected us offensively, and some injuries, to be quite honest, that have affected us defensively,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “But we’re getting a little bit better. We’re healing up a little bit.”

The Firebirds don’t know too much about the Junior Blues (2-4) other than what they’ve seen on film.

“We know what kind of offense they run, and what they like to do and what they’re tendencies are,” Frantz said.

But with a recent victory and getting some key players back on the field, the Firebirds are focused on getting a home win.

“We’re a lot more confident (in practice),” senior receiver and linebacker Tye Carter said. “Now we have them coming to our field and we can finally try to get a home-game win, so that’s getting us hyped too.”

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Scott Frantz, sr.

LG — Shane Hofer, sr.

C — Coleman Houk, sr.

RG — Josiah LeBrun, sr.

RT — Tanner Liba, jr.

QB — Bryce Torneden, jr.

RB — Carson Bowen, sr.

H — Joel Spain, sr.

WR — Tye Carter, sr.

WR — Andrew Keating, sr.

TE — Blake Murray, sr.

K — Joel Spain, sr.

P — Tye Carter, sr.

Defense

DE — Blake Murray, sr.

NG — Michael Georgie, sr.

DE — Shane Hofer, sr.

OLB — Drew Tochtrop, jr.

MLB — Jay Dineen, so.

LB — Paul Bittinger, jr.

LB — Tye Carter, sr.

OLB — Carson Bowen, sr.

CB — Andrew Keating, sr.

CB — Joel Spain, sr.

FS — Bryce Torneden jr.