Life in the Sunflower League is rarely easy for either the Lawrence High or Free State High athletic departments.

Pick a sport, any sport, and chances are the Firebirds and Lions will be asked to square off against a high concentration of the heavyweights the state of Kansas has to offer.

It figures to be no different during this fall’s boys soccer slate, where many challenges are sure to await both programs throughout the remainder of the season.

Take the path that awaits Free State, for example. The Firebirds return seven starters from a team that finished 11-6-1 last fall, took fourth place in the Sunflower League and fell just one postseason victory short of reaching the state quarterfinals.

Despite that impressive pedigree, Firebirds coach Jason Pendleton knows a return to the upper echelon of the league ledger would be a feat to cherish.

“That’s certainly our goal, to be in the top half of the Sunflower League,” said Pendleton, now in his seventh year at the Free State helm. “I don’t think it’s unrealistic if we play the way we’re capable of playing.”

The driving force for the Firebirds comes on the defensive end of the field in senior Aaron Ideus, a four-year varsity starter who will man the center defender slot.

“He brings the intensity and organization that we need,” Pendleton said.

Up top, the Firebirds are looking for senior midfielder K.J. Siebert and sophomore forward Alex Clayton to supply the offensive firepower.

“I think we have a solid team,” Pendleton said. “We’re going to have to do a lot to have as much success as we did last year.”

Across town, LHS coach David Platt will take a different approach in his quest to guide the Lions to an upward spike in the league standings.

For starters, LHS is extremely young. While the senior trio of do-everything Chris Cates, midfielder Spencer Sorenson and forward Joe Wessels provide a seasoned core, LHS doesn’t have the same wealth of experienced depth that many of its league foes will enjoy this fall.

To that end, Platt – in his third season as the Lions’ lone coach – isn’t focused so much on end results, but on his team’s approach and attitude under the bright lights on game nights.

“We have 10 major points we try to look at every game,” said Platt, offering up categories such as offensive aggressiveness, consistency and poise as areas where the Lions will look to make the grade. “We’ll try to achieve our goals, and, hopefully, that will turn into a victory.

“I want our kids to do the things they’re supposed to do, and we’ll see where it takes us. : When you’re a young team, I think that has to be your focus.”

Free State and LHS aren’t the only city soccer programs having to battle the big boys this fall.

Seabury Academy again will compete as an independent this season under the tutelage of first-year coach Gunar Harmon.

“That pretty much makes us the underdog in most any class,” said Harmon, who also coached the Seahawks’ girls program in the spring.

However, Seabury does have two important strengths going for it. First, the Seahawks will see drastic improvement in the depth department thanks to a record player turnout for this year’s squad. Second, Harmon can count on experienced senior leadership at arguably the two most important positions on the field in goaltender Paul Bireta and center midfielder Sung Byun.

Harmon also employs a simple edict that he feels will keep Seabury in competition with teams that, on paper, would seem to have an advantage over the Seahawks.

“My No. 1 rule, and, generally, my only rule, is the 100-percent-effort rule,” Harmon said. “Soccer is unique in a team sport in that the best team doesn’t always win. : So if we put forth effort, positive things will result.”