Lawrence High linebacker Evan Bannister roars after bringing down a Shawnee Mission South runner during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Lawrence High School.

Lawrence High linebacker Evan Bannister isn’t cutting corners as the 2021 regular season dips into its final weeks.

The LHS senior has become a leading solo-tackler and earned a reputation across the Sunflower League for creating takeaways out of nowhere.

With a crucial matchup looming against Free State on Friday night, LHS coach Clint Bowen is looking to Bannister for key leadership.

“His teammates voted him for captain, so they have a lot of respect for him,” Bowen said. “He’s a vocal guy, has fun on the field and brings energy. He’s a great teammate and the type of player that you’d like to have on your team.”

Back-to-back losses to Mill Valley and Shawnee Mission Northwest earlier this season taught LHS some tough lessons. But the Lions faced adversity earlier in the season too, battling injuries and making changes on the fly.

Bannister says figuring out ways to combat those challenges was a major part of his senior season.

“More important than anything football-wise, (I learned) you never take anything for granted,” he said. “We’ve had some guys — Josh King, Macade Lewis — come down with season-ending injuries, and those guys are part of the heart and soul of the team. It really opened my eyes to how important it is that I can still play.”

That perspective has kept Bannister — and his fiery passion — at the center of most of what the Lions (5-2) have done this season.

Last week, he played a key role in helping LHS spoil Olathe North’s senior night. And this week, with the City Showdown looming against the 6-1 Free State Firebirds, Bannister and his teammates know that intensity and energy will play a massive role in deciding the outcome and delivering bragging rights.

“For us to be successful, we need to do all the things that we’re supposed to do and do it with effort and enthusiasm,” Bannister said. “When everything’s upbeat and (the opponent gets) a first down, it doesn’t matter because we’re right there and we’re coming back. There’s a different feel when we’re playing at the level where we should be.”

Bowen hopes that having an upperclassman leader like Bannister will help push his team to that level the rest of the way.

“He’s not shy about providing leadership when he needs to,” Bowen said. “He takes a lot of pride in his role as a leader on this team and does a really nice job with it.”

Bannister said he was grateful for the support LHS football has received during his senior campaign. He’s always been aware of the special impact football has on the school and what the team’s success means for Chesty Lions young and old.

“How deep our history is and how deep it runs, remembering the dynasty that we had (and) just how many supporters we have all the way through Kansas that went to Lawrence High School; I think that’s certainly part of what makes it special,” Bannister said of suiting up for the Lions.

The Lions and Firebirds are slated to kickoff at 7 p.m. Friday at LHS.

Lawrence High linebacker Evan Bannister (11) bumps helmets with safety Keyan Crawford after a stop against Shawnee Mission South during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Lawrence High School. At left is LHS defensive end Malique Morris-Ramirez.