photo by: Chance Parker and Nick Krug

Free State cornerback Cooper Jackson, left, and Lawrence High safety/tailback Avion Nelson, are two of several newcomers who figure to play key roles in Friday's city showdown at LHS.

This year’s city showdown football clash between Lawrence High (5-2) and Free State (6-1) will feature several key players who were not on either roster a season ago.

From Free State pass catchers Jerred Willits and Jordan Brown and FSHS defensive back Mozae Downing to Lawrence’s Heck brothers, Brayden and Kivryn, LHS wideout Baylor Bowen and Lions defensive lineman Lance Bassett, some of the most prominent players and play makers in the game are new to the rivalry.

But while all of those Lions and Firebirds were playing football elsewhere last season, there are two other key players — one on each side — who not only were not in the game last year but also were not playing football at all.

Free State cornerback Cooper Jackson and Lawrence High safety Avion Nelson both decided to come out for football for their senior seasons for a chance to play in games just like this.

For Nelson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety who also plays running back, playing football again for the first time since his freshman season first surfaced when first-year LHS coach Clint Bowen was hired and reached out to him.

“It was pretty much all Coach Bowen,” Nelson said. “He even came out to a couple of my track meets to talk to me about playing this year. From the first time he mentioned it, I thought it could be a fun idea. And it definitely has been.”

For Jackson, a 6-foot, 165-pound coverage monster who also is known for his defensive skills on the basketball court, this season marked the first time since elementary school recess that he played any kind of organized football.

The addition of Brown, a transfer from Basehor-Linwood who played AAU basketball with Jackson, played a huge role in his decision.

“It’s been a wild ride. It really has,” said Jackson, who returned an interception for a touchdown in his first game and had a scoop-and-score fumble recovery TD called back in Week 2. “Just being around the football team and everybody who’s embraced me on the team has been a blast.”

In addition to appearing in the city showdown as varsity football players for the first time in their lives, Jackson and Nelson have something else in common.

Both initially hesitated to jump on the football train simply because their first love had always been basketball and neither wanted playing football to jeopardize their chances of a big senior season on the hardwood.

But once the season began, both players said it took next to no time for them to throw their complete focus and attention to the gridiron.

“I definitely thought about it a lot and talked with my family about it and all that,” Jackson said. But I was like, ‘Why not?’ After that, I was all in.”

Nelson was the same way, and he said this week that his performances on Friday nights this season have even changed his mind about his future.

“At first, I thought I had a much better shot to play basketball in college,” Nelson said. “But now I actually think I can go farther in football than basketball.”

Nelson said he has received interest from Kansas State and a few other college programs and he’s looking forward to see where the recruiting journey takes him.

For now, though, both players are focused entirely on Friday night.

“Oh my gosh; I think it’s going to be crazy,” Jackson said. “Energy, everybody knowing everybody, the intensity in the locker room. I’m expecting it to be very fun.”

Nelson, who played in the LHS-Free State game as a freshman and also has experience with the city showdown in basketball, said he was expecting something brand new when the two school get after it this time around.

“This is definitely a whole different thing,” Nelson said. “And I’m so excited I get to be a part of it. Even when I wasn’t playing, there was always that thought in my head that maybe I should go out for one more year and show what I’ve got. I definitely made the right decision.”

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at LHS. Both teams have already clinched a home playoff game next week, and the Firebirds, with a win in this one, would clinch the 2021 Sunflower League title.