Free State football coach Bob Lisher receives the Kansas City Chiefs' Coach of the Week award Wednesday at FSHS, presented by former Chiefs linebacker Gary Spani.

Free State football coach Bob Lisher was named the Kansas City Chiefs’ high school Coach of the Week and was presented with the award prior to practice Wednesday by former Chiefs linebacker Gary Spani.

Lisher picked up the honor after the Firebirds earned a 21-16 win over previously-unbeaten Park Hill (Mo.) last week. In addition to receiving a congratulatory football, autographed by Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Free State will receive a $500 player healthy and safety grant.

The coach of the week award is part of a joint initiative between the Chiefs and NFL, designed to recognize area coaches.

“Obviously this award is won by you guys,” Lisher told his team, which gathered in a semi-circle during the presentation, “by the administration, by the assistant coaches, by parents. It takes a lot to run a football program and we have a lot of people involved in this football program. But on the field, you guys are the ones who have to show up, make the plays and have to earn this.”

As a weekly winner, Lisher is a finalist for the Chiefs’ Eric Driskell Coach of the Year award, which is named after the Blue Valley coach who died in February.