photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team carries the football game ball onto the Lawrence football field during the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence. Free State started the relay at Free State High School and ran to the handoff point at the corner of Kasold and Bob Billings, where the Lawrence cross-country team carried the ball the rest of the way to Lawrence High School.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team warms up ahead of the handoff in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team warms up ahead of the handoff in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team speaks with coach Kyle Morgison ahead of the handoff in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team races to the handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team gives an ‘L’s down’ to the Lawrence cross-country team at handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team gives an ‘L’s down’ to the Lawrence cross-country team at handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team gives an ‘L’s down’ to the Lawrence cross-country team at handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Free State cross-country team hands off the game ball for the City Showdown football game to the Lawrence cross-country team in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country takes the game ball at handoff point in the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country starts its leg of the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team carries the game ball during the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team carries the game ball during the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team carries the football game ball onto the Lawrence football field during the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence cross-country team celebrates after carrying the game ball onto the Lawrence football field during the City Showdown Game Ball Relay on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Lawrence.