Free State High football players didn’t circle the game against Olathe North on their calendars, but they have a little bit of revenge on their minds.

Facing the only team that beat them last year, the Firebirds will try to avenge those two losses when they face the Eagles at 7 tonight in their home opener at FSHS.

“We’re going to be ready this time,” senior wide receiver Andrew Keating said. “We’ll try to get it done.”

The Eagles returned 17 starters from last year’s 8-4 team that reached the Class 6A state semifinals. They beat Rogers (Arkansas) last week, 18-13, by forcing a fumble and scoring a touchdown in the last two minutes of the game.

Though there’s plenty of history between the two schools in the past year, Free State coach Bob Lisher is quick to point out that the Firebirds have a lot of new faces in their lineup who didn’t factor into those games last season.

“It’s another game on our schedule,” Lisher said. “It’s got a little more meaning simply because it’s the next game. Last year was last year.”

The Eagles (1-0, ranked No. 2 in 6A in the Kpreps.com) boast a strong defensive line and corps of linebackers, led by senior linebacker Marcel Spears, who has committed to Iowa State, and senior defensive end Josh Moore, who is headed to Ohio State as a tight end.

“That’s always fun when you go up against really good competition like that,” senior left tackle Scott Frantz said. “I had a lot of fun going up against Josh last year. He’s always fun to go up against, so I’m looking forward to it.”

The Firebirds (1-0, ranked No. 5 in 6A) will try to limit O-North senior running back Venus Triplett, who led the Sunflower League in rushing last year and ran for 196 yards and a touchdown last week. The Eagles used three quarterbacks last game because of injuries, but all of them are strong runners.

“Basically, we just have to stop the run,” Keating said. “We know they like to run the ball a lot, so we’re going to be ready for that. We’ll be ready for anything they throw at us.”

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 — Drew Tochtrop, jr. 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 — Zion Bowlin, so. OLB — Carson Bowen, sr.

CB — Andrew Keating, sr. CB — Joel Spain, sr. FS — Bryce Torneden jr.