Free State running back Zach Wilson (8) tries to break a tackle during the game against Park Hill on Sept. 15, 2017. Free State won 21-16.

Since elementary school, classmates have urged Zach Wilson to play football.

Growing up, Wilson was always one of the fastest kids in his age group and proved it in track. Now a senior at Free State, he finally relented.

During the spring, he made the decision that he would give football a shot and showed up to the first day of summer workouts, surprising many of his friends.

“Literally everybody was just telling me, ‘Zach, play football, play football,’ every day and every class,” Wilson said. “People were pretty shocked when I said I was actually trying to play football.”

Better late than never, Wilson has already made an impact as a backup running back for the Firebirds (4-0, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A), who will play Olathe South at 7 tonight at the Olathe District Activity Center.

In three games, the 5-foot-7, 180-pound Wilson has 14 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. With his speed and strength, it’s hard to tell that he’s brand new to the sport. He said the biggest challenge is transitioning into the mind of a running back, where he has to spot holes in the defense.

“I’m a track runner so my path is straight,” Wilson said. “With running back, obviously, you have to make cuts. You have to make pretty sharp cuts.”

Free State running back Zach Wilson runs into the Lawrence High defense during the Baker Contact Camp on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Lawrence High School.

For the Free State track team, Wilson runs the 100-meter dash, placing 11th at the Class 6A state meet last spring in 11.03 seconds. On his first-ever touchdown against Shawnee Mission South, in his first career game, he blasted up the middle of the field untouched on a 49-yard run.

When he made his decision to play football, there wasn’t a big speech to convince him. Simply, he wanted to make the most of his senior year.

“Just thought might as well,” Wilson said. “Just do a little bit with my time rather than just sitting at home playing video games all day honestly.”

Since joining the football team at the beginning of the summer, he’s never wavered on his commitment to play, showing up for nearly every workout and weight lifting session.

Of course, there was still an adjustment period.

“It shocked me going full pads at first, but now it’s pretty much just regular routine,” Wilson said. “I have bruises and I’m just like, ‘Yeah, it’s another day.’ The first time I got them, I was like, ‘Man, this is going to get rough.'”

During the team’s preseason scrimmage, Wilson said he dislocated his shoulder. It sidelined him for the Firebirds’ season opener.

But his practice habits have helped turn him into the rare example of a senior making his gridiron debut and playing on the varsity level. Wilson said one of the benefits of joining as a senior is avoiding the underclassmen’s post-practice duties such as cleaning the field.

“It doesn’t happen very often, but Zach’s been a pleasant surprise,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “He’s got speed, he’s got strength and he runs hard.”

Growing up, Wilson would’ve never described himself as much of a football fan. He has athletic bloodlines through his dad, an athlete at the collegiate level, but never would’ve considered sitting down to watch an entire game.

It’s only made him focus more on improving in each and every practice. Lisher said one of the things that coaches can’t teach is his ability to play physical — “If you’re in his way, he’s going to make you feel it,” the coach said.

Enjoying his new sport — just three games into his entire career — Wilson doesn’t hesitate on whether track is still his main sport.

“Track is my first love,” he said. “Track, absolutely. That’s pretty much what got me into sports.”

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 — Cole Phillips, jr.

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 — Gage Foster, sr.

CB — Kwinton Lassiter, sr.

CB — Gabe del Valle, sr.

S — Vani Martinez-Vazquez, sr.

S — Keenan Garber, jr.