Most weeks, both the Free State High and Lawrence High football coaches fill their weekends by watching video tapes of the upcoming opponent.

With the annual intra-city battle this Friday, each staff is putting in a little more work than normal. But that’s to be expected with bragging rights and maybe even a district title on the line.

“I think that as the games get more important, you have a tendency to do that,” said FSHS coach Bob Lisher, whose team is coming off a 42-7 victory against Topeka High.

“It just comes down to this time of year, you have to be more precise in what you do.”

The LHS staff hasn’t spent that much extra time in the film room, but they’ve spent extra time breaking down and analyzing the Free State tapes. The Lions (5-2, 1-0) are familiar with Free State’s players and vice versa so they don’t have to go over the basics as much as they normally would.

“We know the kids because they’re in town,” said LHS coach Dirk Wedd, whose team beat Topeka Washburn Rural 41-7 last Friday. “Our kids have grown up with them, and we’ve seen them play on TV and on replays.”

Friday night’s game at Haskell Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

l LHS didn’t have any new injuries Friday, and lineman Bobby Brubaker is finally near 100 percent after playing a few snaps against the Junior Blues.

Free State junior wide receiver was the Firebirds’ only major injury against Topeka. He sprained an ankle and didn’t practice Monday. Lisher is hopeful he’ll be ready by Friday.