Lawrence High linebacker Tyler Hunt, left, wraps up Topeka High's John Babb. Babb scored on the play to tie the game at 14. Topeka High ended Lawrence's season, 35-28, Friday in Topeka.

Topeka ? Lawrence High’s football defense might still be searching for a way to stop Topeka High running back John Babb.

Babb, a senior and two-time state track champion, ran all over the LHS defense Friday night, sprinting the Trojans into the Class 6A state playoffs for the first time since the 1980s with a 285-yard performance that led to a 35-28 victory at Hummer Sports Park.

Needing 189 yards on the night to reach the 1,000-yard plateau for the season, Babb gained 172 in the first half and finished with 35 carries and four touchdowns to lead Topeka past Lawrence for the first time since 1997, when Dick Purdy still coached the Lions.

“We just didn’t have an answer for Babb,” LHS coach Dirk Wedd said.

In the early going, the Lions could do no wrong. After being held three-and-out on their first drive, the Lions quickly made up for the slow start by recovering a Babb fumble at the Topeka High 26-yard line. On the very next play, junior quarterback Clint Pinnick hit junior receiver Aaron Rea over the middle for an easy 26-yard TD to put the Lions up 7-0.

A Topeka High three-and-out gave the ball right back to the Lions, who drove 60 yards in 1:21 and went up two touchdowns when senior Clifton Sims bulled his way into the end zone from 36 yards out. Sims broke to the outside around the 30, lowered his head and ran through Topeka’s D.J. Wakes at the 24. He then jabbed and juked his way back to the middle of the field – and ultimately the end zone – for the final 10 yards.

As the Lions ran to the sideline with a 14-0 lead, smiles lit the way, and lighthearted jabs greeted the diminuitive Sims, who made like a 270-pound fullback to reach the end zone.

Moments later, however, the Trojans (3-6) found their running game. A 13-play, 63-yard drive consisting of nothing but running plays reached the end zone when Babb walked in from five yards out. The star of the game carried 10 times for 56 yards on the drive and was just getting warmed up.

From then on, the momentum shifted to the THS sideline and remained there most of the night.

Wedd said he did not know what caused the sudden change, but he was certain it wasn’t because his players pulled back.

“I wish I knew,” he said. “I don’t think it was a letdown. Our kids played hard the whole game. We didn’t play well on defense and we didn’t really play well on offense. There wasn’t one aspect where we played all that great. Size and speed hurt us all night, and I think all of the things we’ve had to overcome finally caught up with us.”

Topeka High answered Lawrence’s 14-0 start with 21 straight points to close the half. But it was a 14-play, 7-minute TD drive to open the second half that really spelled trouble for the Lions.

With just four minutes to play in the third quarter, and trailing by two scores, LHS went to the air to try to get back into the game. It nearly worked. Pinnick was masterful in the second half, leading drive after drive with perfectly thrown balls and a never-say-die attitude. The junior was 11 of 21 for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. His 197 yards for the game marked a season high.

A good chunk of Pinnick’s passes went to junior Aaron Rea, who also turned in a career night catching seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Rea said the sole reason for his big night was the upperclassmen.

“The thing that got me to make all those plays was wanting to keep the season alive for our seniors,” Rea said. “Our seniors are the best bunch of football players I’ve ever been around. They’re great leaders and we learned a lot from them.”

The Lions were in the game to the bitter end, but a 64-yard TD run from Babb with 4:16 to play put the Trojans up 35-21 and proved to be the backbreaker.

LHS responded with one final scoring strike from Pinnick to Rea, but the onside kick attempt with 1:01 to play never bounced, sailing out of bounds and taking the LHS season out with it.

Despite the loss, the Lions (3-6) reflected on the season fondly after the game.

“Nobody’s gone through what this group of kids went through this season,” Wedd said. “They had all kinds of injuries, they lost three leaders. Those aren’t excuses, those are facts. But I’m so proud of our seniors and they have several reasons to hold their heads high.”

At least one was able to do just that as he walked off the field for the final time.

“We poured our heart and soul into every game all season,” senior lineman Skyler Countess said. “I love our seniors. And if the juniors and sophomores learned anything from us at all, it’s been worth it.”