As breakdowns go, today’s Lawrence High-Free State boys tennis dual is pretty simple.

It’s the Firebirds’ depth against the Lions’ top-tier players.

“That’s what it sounds like,” LHS coach Dick Wedel said. “We’ve got Scott (Elwell), so we’re definitely strong at No. 1 singles, but (Free State’s) Ben Cropp has come along really well.”

Not that this story line is anything new.

The Firebirds never have beaten LHS at No. 1 singles, but they’ve always won the dual. This year’s showdown begins at 3:30 today at Lawrence Tennis Center.

“They’ve always had that top gun,” FSHS coach Jon Renberger said. “But our depth has always been strong enough to help us emerge victorious in the duals.”

If it plays out that way again this season remains to be seen.

Renberger’s expects Free State’s seniors — Cropp, Alan Martinez, Eyad Safadi, Matt Schwabauer and Eric Sheu — and junior Brian Maygers to come in prepared and motivated.

Wedel said the Lions’ top doubles teams of Martin Vertacnik-James Garito and Tyler Lewis-Rahul Gogenini steadily have improved this season, which should help today.

“I think that as a team they’ve got a couple of tough matches down and they’re starting to see some of the things we need to improve,” he said. “They’ve been very coachable.”

Yet, it’s the Cropp-Elwell match that holds the most intrigue.

Elwell, who will play tennis for the University of Iowa next year, is a three-time state qualifier who finished fifth last season. A Cropp victory isn’t a stretch, but as Renberger puts it, he’ll have to be error-free.

“He has to have his A-plus game and Scott has to have his C game or lower,” Renberger said. “Ben’s put a lot of work in and has played better this year, but Scott just has so much more experience.”

— Sports reporter Mike Miller can be reached at 832-7152.