Free State senior running back Sam Skwarlo (5) sheds would be Wichita West tackler Thomas Washington (24) in route to a 68 yard touchdown during their first round playoff game Friday night at FSHS. The Firebirds routed the Pioneers, 49-0, and with the win advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

After posting shutouts in the past two weeks, Free State High football players are excited to face Wichita Northwest’s high-powered offense in the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

The Grizzlies average 49 points per game, the second-most in the state. But the Firebirds are ready for the challenge when they travel to Northwest at 7 p.m. today.

The Firebirds haven’t allowed a point in their past nine quarters and they want to see how they stack up against another top offense.

“We have a lot of confidence,” FSHS senior cornerback Zack Sanders said. “It’s more keeping our heads straight now. Our secondary is going to have a pretty big battle with their wide receivers. They have two wide receivers with 700 or 800 yards now, so that’ll be pretty fun.”

The Firebirds (7-3) have an idea of what to expect. They beat the Grizzlies in the first round of the state playoffs last year, 27-16.

Top-seeded Northwest (10-0) returns most of its offense from a year ago, but will have senior quarterback Kevin Folsom, who missed last year’s contest because of a broken ankle. Folsom has thrown for 1,892 yards this season with 25 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“He’s pretty good,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “He throws BBs. He’s very, very accurate on his throws. … When they throw the ball, they are very efficient in what they do. They get a lot of yards on not a lot of passes.”

The Grizzlies waste no time moving down the field with their no-huddle, uptempo offensive attack. But after facing some other fast-paced offenses this season, the Firebirds are prepared.

“We have a bunch of experience playing teams like their caliber offense: Topeka High, (Lawrence High) and Shawnee Mission East,” junior linebacker Jay Dineen said. “So I think we’re ready for the challenge, big time.”

The Firebirds also have plenty of confidence in their ability to score points. During their seven-game winning streak, they’ve scored at least 30 points in all but one game, led by senior quarterback Bryce Torneden and running back Sam Skwarlo.

“Everything is starting to click,” Dineen said. “We’re all doing our assignments. That’s all that matters. We have one of the greatest running back-quarterback duos in Kansas right now, so if we can block them, they’ll make the yards.”

With a chance to reach the state semifinals for the second straight year, the Firebirds know they’ll need to be at their best defensively — and they’re excited for their biggest test yet.

“We understand the fact, if we do our jobs, we’re going to be a pretty good defense,” Lisher said.

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Chase Houk, jr.

LG — Jay Dineen, jr.

C — Garrett Swisher, sr.

RG — Sam Hambleton, jr.

RT — Tanner Liba, sr.

QB — Bryce Torneden, sr.

RB — Sam Skwarlo, sr.

H — Zack Sanders, jr.

WR — Logan McKinney, sr.

WR — Daniel Bryant, jr.

TE — Darian Lewis, sr.

K — Kameron Lake, fr.

P — Drew Tochtrop, sr.

Defense

DT — Noah Kema, jr.

NG — Darian Lewis, sr.

DT — Jalen Galloway, sr.

OLB — Paul Bittinger, sr.

ILB — Jay Dineen, jr.

ILB — Sam Skwarlo, sr.

OLB — Drew Tochtrop, sr.

CB — Zack Sanders, jr.

CB — Logan McKinney, sr.

SS — Zion Bowlin, jr.

FS — Bryce Torneden, sr.