photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior defender Lucas Todd dribbles the ball downfield in the City Showdown against Lawrence on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Lawrence. The boys soccer City Showdown game was moved up two hours to avoid an incoming storm, but the time change wasn't enough to keep the contest from being postponed until Oct. 10. Free State senior forward Kaiden Helm scored the game-opening goal in the eighth minute, and Lawrence responded with a penalty-kick goal from junior Jackson Raney in the 14th minute. The game on Oct. 10 will begin where Tuesday's match stopped: with 22:15 left in the first half, with both teams tied at 1-1.

The 2026 boys soccer City Showdown between Free State and Lawrence was postponed and will be made up on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Free State High School.

The City Showdown was moved up from a typical 7 p.m. start time to 5 p.m. to avoid the storm, but 18 minutes into the game, lightning struck in the area causing a delay. It didn’t take long for administrators from Free State and Lawrence to postpone the contest instead of try to finish the game later Tuesday night.

The game stopped with 22:15 left in the first half, with both teams tied at 1-1. The Oct. 10 makeup game will begin at that starting point, rather than restarting the game. Lawrence and Free State will play its junior varsity game first at 11 a.m. and will finish its varsity contest shortly after that game’s conclusion.

Free State jumped out to an early lead after senior forward Kaiden Helm scored shortly after a Free State free kick. Helm put the ball in the upper right corner of the net in the eighth minute of the game.

Lawrence responded six minutes later, when junior Jackson Raney scored a penalty kick goal to tie it up. Play continued for 4 minutes, 10 seconds before the stop.

Free State will next play Olathe North at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Free State, while Lawrence will host Shawnee Mission East at the same time and date.