Defensive and especially offensive linemen never seem to get much credit. They’re a driving factor in most big plays, but rarely the recipients of the glory.

That may never change, but for this week at least, those linemen are very much in the limelight.

When Free State (2-0) plays host to Shawnee Mission West (1-1) at 7 p.m. tonight, linemen on both sides of the ball will play a pivotal role in the game’s outcome.

“It’s going to be won up front,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “I think both teams have some athletes. They’ve got a little more experience on their O-line and D-line, but our guys have been playing pretty well, so I think it’s going to be a battle in the trenches. “

Because each offense features similar big-play threats, the battle up front will determine which offense is able to dictate the pace of the game.

Like Free State’s tandem of seniors, Dylan Perry and Preston Schenck, West boasts a well-rounded offensive attack that features versatile running back Will Livingston.

After a sloppy performance to open the season, Livingston and the Vikings exploded for 37 points in their victory over Shawnee Mission Northwest last week. Livingston has five touchdowns, including two scores against Northwest, one going for over 60 yards.

Last weekend, Free State was able to completely neutralize Leavenworth High’s rushing attack. The Firebirds held the Vikings to minus 15 yards — in large part because of the stellar play of the defensive line.

So while shutting down Livingston is a priority, the gameplan doesn’t end there.

“He’s fast, exceptionally fast, but he’s not the only threat they have,” Lisher said. “The quarterback can throw the ball very well. Their fullback isn’t a shifty runner, but he’s a hard, straight-ahead runner that’s tough to bring down. They’ve got another guy at the wing they run counters with and so forth. They’ve got some weapons.”

Still, the burden is no less on Free State’s defensive linemen, like senior nose tackle Justin McCandless, to slow the opposing backfield.

“Coach always says, ‘speed can’t hurt you unless you let it get started,'” McCandless said. “And we’ve really been focusing on that this week.”

“Their offensive line is a very physical, very aggressive group, so our guys up front are going to have to play very well,” Lisher said.

McCandless said one of his primary assignments is to take up double-teams from the opposing offensive linemen, freeing up linebackers to break through the line.

The physical mindset of McCandless carries over to the other side of the ball. He and defensive ends Zach Saunders and Cale Nieder also start on the offensive line.

“I think it’s really important this week that we come out and be physical up front, McCandless said. “Offensively, we’ve got to control the line of scrimmage, get on linebackers, so that we give (our guys) a chance to run, because if we get them to the second level, I’m confident they can make somebody miss.”

Those playmakers include Perry and Schenck, who have a combined 11 touchdowns in the two Firebird victories.

Free State has proved it can score, but it remains to be seen whether the less-heralded linemen continue their dominant early-season play.

“Shawnee Mission West was picked second in the coaches poll, we were picked seventh,” Lisher said. “So it’ll be a challenge for us, and the kids are looking forward to that challenge.”