Before walking into a final team meeting in the Lawrence High gymnasium, LHS football players peeled the red jerseys off their shoulder pads and deposited them in two black trash bags. Most already had tears in their eyes.

Thinking back on taking off his jersey for the last time after Friday’s 42-20 loss to Free State at LHS, senior linebacker Darrin Sorem said he couldn’t help but feel depressed.

“That jersey means a lot to a lot of people,” Sorem said.

Coach Dirk Wedd said the seniors played a big role in restoring the pride to the team that wears those jerseys. He cited their leadership and work ethic as key characteristics.

“When we get this thing turned around, we’ll look back and say it was this class that did it for us,” Wedd said.

LHS beat perennial power Olathe East and remained competitive with several other top Sunflower League teams, a far cry from a dismal 2009 season. The Lions finish the season 3-6 after a 1-8 season in 2009.

Tied 14-14 at halftime against Free State, the Lions had a great chance to continue their improvement. But a three-and-out and a punt into the wind on the first possession of the second half gave the Firebirds’ rushing attack a short field. Nine plays later, the Firebirds found the end zone and took the lead, 20-14.

The Lions’ next drive appeared promising after sophomore quarterback Brad Strauss picked up a first down on a daring nine-yard run. But three incomplete passes stopped their momentum near midfield.

The Firebirds gashed the Lions’ defense yet again, scoring on a two-yard run by senior Dylan Perry. Two plays later, a fumble by LHS junior Charles Jackson was scooped up near the end zone by Free State senior Henry Vaeono. He dove into the end zone for the 21-point Firebird lead.

The City Showdown was essentially over.

“Bad things happened. Another bad thing happened,” Sorem said. “We couldn’t react fast enough. Points went up on the scoreboard, and we couldn’t come back.”

Senior wide receiver Chris Gaston said he hopes the younger players learned from the seniors’ work ethic in the summer, practices and games.

“We’re not done. Three-and-six is still not a good season,” Gaston said. “I just hope they can keep building on what we started and keep working hard.”

Sorem said he probably had just played his last football game. Not that he’d want to play again with different players.

“I don’t think it’ll click with another group of guys like these guys,” Sorem said.

After their meeting, the seniors milled around the gymnasium, hugging coaches and each other. Wedd said he told them that he appreciated their dedication to the program. He urged the players to come back if they ever needed anything — whether that be tomorrow, five years from now or 20 years from now.

“I might be dead, but they always know they can knock on the door,” Wedd said.

Sorem was upset about the loss but proud of the senior class for being examples for the younger players.

“We showed them how to be Lions and what it means to be a Lion,” he said.