FSHS football fired up for opener

Free State High football players still remember their 42-14 loss to Hutchinson in the Class 6A state semifinals last season. They’re ready to make up for it.

The Firebirds open their season against Shawnee Mission West at 7 p.m. today at FSHS.

“We kind of left a bad taste in our mouth after that loss to Hutch,” senior defensive lineman and tight end Darian Lewis said. “I’m really excited to get back out there and play.”

The Firebirds beat the Vikings, 20-14, in their season opener last season. That game has special meaning for senior linebacker and running back Sam Skwarlo, who suffered a Lisfranc tear in his left foot, ending his season.

During the preseason, Skwarlo has run through defenders with power and physicality, looking like he’s making up for lost time.

“Especially since I got hurt in that last game, I want to prove something to them or something of that sort,” Skwarlo said. “Very excited. It’s felt like forever.”

SM West returns eight players on defense — five linebackers — and seven on offense after posting a 6-5 record last season. The Vikings are led by senior 6-foot-4 quarterback Adam Rellihan, running back Jason Meeker and receivers Ben Karlin and Isreal Watson.

For the Firebirds, the biggest question in the offseason was replacing the majority of their offensive and defensive lines after losing several starters to graduation. Seniors Tanner Liba (offensive line) and Jalen Galloway (defensive line) are the only returning starters. Lewis moved to defensive line in the summer.

“Considering we have a new defense and everything, it’s not too bad, really,” Galloway said, noting the team’s move to the “50” defense. “It’s a little nerve-wracking being the only (returning) defensive-line starter, but it’s still pretty nice being back on the field and everything.”

Even with the new linemen, the Firebirds have plenty of familiar faces at skill positions, including senior quarterback and safety Bryce Torneden, a North Dakota State commit; linebackers Paul Bittinger, Jay Dineen; and cornerback Zack Sanders.

After a long offseason, the Firebirds are ready to see how they stack up against another team.

“We’ve been going at it pretty hard all summer, then the last two weeks, obviously, in practice,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “This week, we finally got some August heat in September. We’ve got to get used to that, as well. But it’s good. We need to play. These guys need to get out and play and see where we’re at.”