photo by: Mike Shaw/Special to the Journal-World

LHS running back Tyrell Reed looks to get upfield during the Lions' win at SM East on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

After a hard fought first six weeks of the season for both the Lawrence High and Free State football teams, the two will square off against each other Friday night in the annual City Showdown at LHS.

The Lions (4-2) will look to get back to their winning ways after falling to Gardner-Edgerton last week 35-7, while the Firebirds (3-3) aim to win their third straight game following a 27-21 overtime win against Shawnee Mission North on Senior Night.

Regardless of where each program sits entering the game, the annual City Showdown always tends to be a highlight of the season.

“I’m really excited to play them again,” FSHS coach Kevin Stewart said. “It is always a good atmosphere and they are going to give us everything they have. But overall, I think it’s really about trying to control what we can control and trying to improve like it has been every single game this year.”

The Lawrence High defense has faced tough challenges and unique offenses during the last several games, but the Lions will encounter a more traditional type of offense when they face the Firebirds.

“The strength of their team is their offensive line,” LHS coach Clint Bowen said. “The quarterback run game with their big quarterback behind them and the combination of those two factors is the strength of their offense. He (FSHS QB Wesley Edison) does a nice job being patient in his run game.”

Free State, meanwhile, has struggled to force turnovers and prevent big plays and both will be a key part of the matchup with LHS.

“We did a little bit better last week creating turnovers and so that definitely helped us get a win,” Stewart said. “I noticed last week, our guys were a lot more physical. If we’re going to win the game, our defense is going to have to slow down Lawrence High’s offense. It’s going to be our defense. It’s going to have to step up.”

Lawrence High’s offense, as it has done throughout the season, likely will look to establish its running game against the Firebirds. That means getting tailback Tyrell Reed going early.

photo by: Emma Pravecek/Journal-World

Free State running back Tay Ware runs the ball during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Friday, Oct. 7.

On the Firebirds’ side of things, running back Tay Ware also will look to get going early, hoping to help the Firebirds keep up with a Lions offense that has proven to be explosive at times.

“Our offense really gets clicking when we can run the football with the tailback run game,” Bowen said. “When we can get those guys hitting their runs that is the key to getting our offense going. Establishing the tailback run game is always a critical part of our team.”

There’s a lot on the line in this week’s game. But it’s not just another year of bragging rights that will mean the most. Both teams are looking to build momentum heading into the postseason and a win over their rival would be huge for either team.

“We have to understand the game, the environment, and the emotions,” Bowen said. “We have to protect the football and play sound on defense.”

Those elements will be important for Free State, as well, and Stewart said he hoped his team would use the momentum it has created in recent weeks to play its best game of the season.

“If they can’t get fired up for this game, then I’m not sure that they’re going to get fired up at all this year,” Stewart said. “There’s a lot of back and forth with the rivalry but then, quite frankly, our season depends a lot on this game.”

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at LHS.