Through the first two weeks of the season, Free State High’s defense has made it extremely difficult for opposing teams to move the ball.

Next up will be the toughest challenge to date for the Firebirds: Park Hill’s offense and its dominant passing attack. Kickoff is set at 7 tonight at FSHS.

Park Hill (Mo.) senior quarterback Billy Maples has thrown for 21 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first four games, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,125 yards. The Trojans won last year’s matchup, 34-21.

“The better the competition, the better you ought to get throughout the season,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “That’s kind of what we want.”

The Firebirds (2-0, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A by Kpreps.com) haven’t faced an offense as dynamic as Park Hill this season, but they are excited to play against one of the top teams in the region.

In a game between two unbeaten teams, Free State’s secondary of seniors Gabe del Valle, Kwinton Lassiter and Vani Martinez-Vazquez, along with juniors Keenan Garber and Oliver Paranjothi, know they have to account for Maples and the big-play threat of the Trojans’ offense.

“It’s a little exciting and it’s a little frightening at the same time,” del Valle said. “I just have to stay on my toes.”

Lisher said the team’s experience in the secondary will help them. The Firebirds will be without starting defensive back Malik Berry for the rest of the year, but del Valle started most of last season at cornerback, Garber played some safety and Lassiter earned some playing time at his previous school in Arizona.

Lassiter, who recorded 12 tackles for Hamilton High in Chandler, Ariz., said it’s been an easy transition to his new school. He snagged an interception last week.

“We have a good secondary,” Lassiter said. “I like it a lot. They help me out a lot, too, help me learn coverages and everything.”

The Trojans (4-0, ranked No. 1 in Missouri’s Class 6) average 44.25 points per game and had a three-point home win last week over fourth-ranked Blue Springs.

Lisher said it’s difficult to prepare for Park Hill’s offense because the Trojans have a lot of run-pass option plays.

“(Linebackers) will have to play pass and run this week,” Lisher said. “That’s a difficult thing to do. We’re going to work on stopping the run and see if we can slow down their passing game.”

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Turner Corcoran, so.

LG — Gabe Clark, sr.

C — Ben Holiday, jr.

RG — Shane Skwarlo, jr.

RT — Jalan Robinson, sr.

QB — Jordan Preston, jr.

RB — Jax Dineen, jr.

H — L.J. Mack, jr.

WR — Tanner Cobb, sr.

WR — Jake Rittman, sr.

TE — Jack Theisen, sr.

K — Kameron Lake, jr.

P — Jake Rittman, sr.

Defense

DT — Lovette Epelle, so.

NT — Nathan Spain, sr.

DT — Spencer Roe, sr.

OLB — Bo Miller, sr.

ILB — David Johnson, sr.

ILB — Jalen Nash, jr.

OLB — Ben Miller, so.

CB — Kwinton Lassiter, sr.

CB — Gabe del Valle, sr.

S — Vani Martinez-Vazquez, sr.

S — Keenan Garber, jr.