Returning the City Showdown to its traditional spot as the last game of the regular season, there’s more than just bragging rights on the line.

Lawrence High and Free State football teams have a chance to affect their seeding for the first round of the playoffs next week.

Then there’s potential hardware. With a victory in the City Showdown — beginning at 7 tonight at Free State — the Firebirds have an opportunity to clinch at least a share of the Sunflower League title for the first time since 2013.

“Every week, we try to get it intense in practice and focused,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “This week, just a little bit more because they know what’s at stake here.”

The Firebirds (5-2) have a 5-0 record in league games and are tied atop the standings with Shawnee Mission East. Their Week One loss against SM West didn’t count in the league standings because it was an open date for teams to schedule anyone in the state.

“I’m very excited,” FSHS senior Zack Sanders said. “It’s my senior year so I just want to come out with a win and prove to the town what we’re really worth and prove ourselves.”

The Firebirds feature one of the toughest defenses in the state, allowing a league-low 15.1 points per game. Then there’s the offensive attack led by Sanders at receiver and senior quarterback Dallas Crittenden.

Sanders broke FSHS single-season records with 47 catches for 752 yards this year, and Lawrence coach Dirk Wedd called him a “nightmare” for opposing defenses because of his speed and athleticism.

Some of the seniors from both schools have called this year’s City Showdown a “tiebreaker” after splitting games for the past two years.

But that doesn’t include their freshman year contest.

“They lost as freshman (50-20) and that’s when we had Zack on our team,” Wedd said of his team’s seniors. “So I would say between Zack going over there, them picking up the Hayden quarterback (Crittenden) and the Perry tackle (Spencer Roe), that the point spread for this game is about 100 points in Vegas.”

Sanders transferred from LHS following his freshman year, but played with Lions senior running back Trey Moore throughout youth football. Sanders played quarterback and laughed at some of the memories and crazy plays from his time playing alongside Moore, who has rushed for 1,003 yards this year.

“During the game, there might be a little trash-talking but it’s all respect, no matter what,” Moore said. “We all love and care about each other and we want the best for each other.”

The Lions (5-2) are hoping to bounce back from a 48-26 loss against third-ranked Shawnee Mission East. Junior quarterback Dante’ Jackson is expected to be a game-time decision because of an ankle injury that forced him to miss the second half last week.

“We’ve been practicing hard,” Moore said. “After that loss, it kind of put a chip on our shoulder, so we’re ready to prove something.”

Both teams have secured home games for the first round of the playoffs, which begin next week. Instead of the usual district format, teams will be seeded 1 through 16 based on their record.

The Lions will be the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the East bracket, while the Firebirds are sitting at the No. 6 seed in the West bracket. Free State could move all the way up to fourth or drop to seventh, depending on tiebreakers.

“It’s my last time playing against all of my friends from Free State and stuff,” Moore said. “Just going to be a fun, exciting game.”

LHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Kristian Russell, jr.

LG — Nick Englebert, jr.

C — Jacob Mills, jr.

RG — Reese Stellwagon, sr.

RT — Kobe Buffalomeat, sr.

QB — Dante’ Jackson, jr.

RB — Trey Moore, sr.

WR — Ekow Boye-Doe, jr.

WR — Caleb Mondi, so.

WR — Jalen Dudley, jr.

WR — Clarence King, so.

K — Cole Brungardt, sr.

P — Dante’ Jackson, jr.

Defense

DE — Jacob Unruh, sr.

DT — Mark Greene, sr.

DT — BJ Murry, sr.

DE — Eric Galbreath, so.

LB — Santino Gee, sr.

LB — Azariah LeBrun, sr.

LB — Erik Shackelford, sr.

CB — Jaxon Malone, so.

CB — Ekow Boye-Doe, jr.

SS — James Reeder, sr.

FS — Cade Burghart, sr.

FSHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Chase Houk, sr.

LG — Jay Dineen, sr.

C — Nathan Spain, jr.

RG — Reese Todd, sr.

RT — Spencer Roe, jr.

QB — Dallas Crittenden, sr.

RB — Zion Bowlin, sr.

WR — Zack Sanders, sr.

WR — Daniel Bryant, sr.

WR — Bo Miller, jr.

TE — Noah Kema, sr.

K — Kameron Lake, so.

P — Jake Rittman, jr.

Defense

DT — Noah Kema, sr.

NT — Nathan Spain, jr.

DT — Nick Eddis, sr.

ROLB — Gage Foster, jr.

ILB — Jay Dineen, sr.

ILB — David Johnson, jr.

LOLB — Drew Wise, sr.

CB — Gabe del Valle, jr.

CB — Daniel Bryant, sr.

FS — Zack Sanders, sr.

SS — Zion Bowlin, sr.