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

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart points out instructions against Shawnee Mission North Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Overland Park.

For many in the Free State football program, last season’s 31-24 overtime loss to Lawrence High left a sour taste that has carried over into this season.

The Firebirds will have a chance to once again get back on the winning side of the City Showdown on Friday night when they host the Lions.

“I think our guys are excited to play just because of the rivalry; they want to beat these guys,” Firebird head coach Kevin Stewart said. “They grew up with them as kids, but also getting beat last year, on the last play of the game almost. They’re gonna be ready to go.”

Despite coming off of a 40-28 senior-night loss to Olathe South, the LHS offense still holds a surplus of firepower, starting with quarterback Banks Bowen. Bowen has shown his ability to become a true dual threat, throwing for 1,895 yards and 21 touchdowns, while still proving to be successful on the ground with 695 rushing yards and seven more touchdowns.

“He’s a little bit bigger and stronger than last year,” Stewart said. “Where he’s really improved is his passing game. I think he’s done a better job of putting a little more zip on the ball and understanding where to go with the ball.”

Another component to the Lions’ offense that the Firebirds’ defense knows it needs to be ready for is the explosive backfield, specifically running back Tahj Edwards. Edwards has rushed for 660 yards and 10 touchdowns in the backfield for LHS, while also receiving 13 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including four catches for 27 yards against Olathe South.

“He’s a good athlete, he runs the ball hard and he’s got good speed, good moves, good vision. He’s a strong runner,” Stewart said.

With wide receiver Jaxon Becker also a threat on the outside, Stewart knows that the LHS offense will be tough for his defense to slow down, but his group will do everything it can to disrupt the Lions’ rhythm.

“The main thing we’ve been trying to do is stop the run game and stop the pass game,” Stewart said. “It sounds simple, but we don’t want them to get both of those things going. If we’re struggling to stop both, we’re in trouble, but if we can at least take away one and work towards the other, that will be a benefit to us.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Firebirds know they need to protect quarterback Finn Moore, who put together a strong performance in the 27-24 loss last week to Shawnee Mission Northwest.

Moore completed seven passes on 18 attempts for 96 yards, and added a more impressive 101 yards in the rushing attack against the Cougars.

The key to protecting Moore will be to take away LHS linebacker Josh Galbreath, who plays a versatile and valuable role for the LHS defense.

“As we go through the film, all of the times where they’re productive on defense or where they’re getting negative plays, it involves him,” Stewart said. “We talk about knowing where he’s at, and when he’s coming off the edge on blitzes we’re paying attention.”

In order to be successful on Friday, the Firebirds know they need to play for themselves and keep pushing forward.

“The main thing is just eliminate negative plays,” Stewart said. “Positive plays in both the run and the pass game, eliminate the penalties, eliminate the turnovers, eliminate lost-yardage plays. If we can do those and keep pressure on them, it will give us the best opportunity and we’ll be just fine.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.