With two losses in three games, Free State High football players are disappointed but they haven’t panicked.

In fact, they don’t have to look far for an example of a team overcoming a slow start to make a run in the postseason.

The Firebirds lost their first three games last season before winning eight straight games on the way to the Class 6A state semifinals.

“We just need a spark. Like last year, one game and it got us going,” senior linebacker Jay Dineen said before Free State plays Shawnee Mission Northwest at 7 p.m. today at SM North Stadium.

The Firebirds (1-2) lost to Shawnee Mission West and Park Hill (Mo.), both considered among the top teams in the region.

But more than anything, the Firebirds have paid the price for their mistakes on both sides of the ball. In last week’s loss to Park Hill, they gave up a few big plays on defense and the offense was limited by costly penalties and sacks.

“Definitely made us a better team,” senior lineman Chase Houk said of the tough schedule. “I think we’re ready to go. It definitely knocked some sense into us.”

One of the main differences between last year’s slow start and this year’s 1-2 record is how it will affect the Firebirds in the postseason.

This is the first season since 1980 without the typical district format in Class 6A, changed by the Kansas High School Activities Association. Instead, each team is playing an eight-game regular season season before being seeded 1 through 16 for the ninth game, which serves as the first round of the playoffs.

“Each one of these games is for our district now,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “We’ve already got track of where we’re sitting and what we’ve got to do to move up and so forth and so on. Each and every game is important. It’s critical that we put it together and play our best from here on out.”

The Cougars (0-3) are led by senior running back Xavier Perry, who has rushed for five touchdowns this season. But their defense has allowed at least 48 points in all three games.

No matter the opponent, the Firebirds just want to make sure they are cleaning up their mistakes.

“It’s how you finish a season, it’s not really how you start,” Dineen said. “We’d like to have a couple of those plays back. I feel like we could be 2-1 very easily, we could be 3-0 very easily. … It’s just a couple of plays here and there that have us where we are.”

Bowlin likely out with ankle injury

On Free State’s first offensive play in the second half last week, FSHS senior running back Zion Bowlin sprained his ankle trying to break a tackle on a six-yard gain.

Bowlin, who starts in the secondary on defense, was wearing a walking boot over his left foot during practice on Wednesday, but said he hopes to return in the following week.

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Chase Houk, sr.

LG — Jay Dineen, sr.

C — Nathan Spain, jr.

RG — Reese Todd, sr.

RT — Spencer Roe, jr.

QB — Dallas Crittenden, sr.

RB — Jax Dineen, so.

H — Zack Sanders, sr.

WR — Daniel Bryant, sr.

WR — Bo Miller, jr.

TE — Noah Kema, sr.

K — Kameron Lake, so.

P — Jake Rittman, jr.

Defense

DT — Noah Kema, sr.

NT — Sam Hambleton, sr.

DT — Nick Eddis, sr.

ROLB — Gage Foster, jr.

ILB — Jay Dineen, sr.

ILB — David Johnson, jr.

LOLB — Drew Wise, sr.

CB — Zack Sanders, sr.

CB — Daniel Bryant, sr.

FS — Bo Miller, jr.

SS — Vani Martinez, jr.