Free State High coach Bob Lisher, right, congratulates the Firebird team after their 37-17 regional 6A playoff win against the Junction City Blue Jays, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at Al Simpler Stadium in Junction City.

Two weeks ago, Free State High’s football team gave up 293 rushing yards in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Members of the defense vowed not to let that happen again.

They lived up to their words last week, holding Junction City to eight rushing yards and just 118 yards of offense. But now they’ll get one of their biggest challenges yet when they face Hutchinson in the state semifinals at 7 tonight at FSHS. It’s the first time the two schools have ever faced each other.

The Salthawks (7-4) have a big offensive line and are led by senior running back Blaik Middleton. Hutchinson doesn’t run the flex bone offense that it is famous for, but is still run-heavy through the I-formation. Middleton broke Kansas University linebacker Ben Heeney’s single-season program rushing record, with 2,268 yards so far this year.

“I’m expecting a lot of running,” sophomore linebacker Zion Bowlin said. “That’s about it.”

The Firebirds (8-3), who have won their last six games, have only given up more than 17 points once in that span. The Salthawks have averaged 48.8 points per game in their five-game win streak to this point.

So even after last week’s dominant effort defensively, the Firebirds aren’t heading into tonight’s matchup with overconfidence.

“Hutchinson, offensively, they’ve got a lot better offensive line,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “That’s nothing against Junction City, it’s these guys are big, physical and come off the ball hard, and they’ve got some speed behind it. Last week’s defensive effort ought to help us a little bit, but it’s a totally different scheme as far as what they do.”

A few Free State players have compared Hutchinson’s offense to Shawnee Mission East, which led the Sunflower League in rushing and gashed Free State earlier this year for more than 200 yards. But even with the tall task of stopping one of the best offenses in the state, the Firebirds aren’t planning on backing down.

“I feel like we have a lot of momentum,” junior defensive end Jalen Galloway said. “If we just get into our gaps, we’ll definitely be able to shut them down.”

At this point in the year, the Firebirds know there are no easy opponents left, and they’re excited to play for a spot in the state championship game, and the chance to stop a running back that no team has slowed down this year.

“It’s a challenge. Our guys know it’s a challenge,” Lisher said. “Hopefully we can limit what they do best, which is line up and run the ball at you.”

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Scott Frantz, sr.

LG — Shane Hofer, sr.

C — Coleman Houk, sr.

RG — Josiah LeBrun, sr.

RT — Tanner Liba, jr.

QB — Bryce Torneden, jr.

RB — Carson Bowen, sr.

H — Joel Spain, sr.

WR — Logan McKinney, jr.

WR — Andrew Keating, sr.

TE — Darian Lewis, jr.

K — Joel Spain, sr.

P — Joel Spain, sr.

Defense

DE — Jalen Galloway, jr.

NG — Michael Georgie, sr.

DE — Shane Hofer, sr.

OLB — Drew Tochtrop, jr.

MLB — Jay Dineen, so.

LB — Paul Bittinger, jr.

LB — Zion Bowlin, so.

OLB — Carson Bowen, sr.

CB — Andrew Keating, sr.

CB — Joel Spain, sr.

FS — Bryce Torneden jr.