photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence safety Jaylen Parks flips an Olathe South ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Lawrence.

If it didn’t already mean a lot to the Lawrence High School football team to beat Free State High School, ever-important playoff seeding and a home playoff game might be on the line on Friday’s matchup at Free State.

The Lions (4-3) have faced a plethora of offensive systems and schemes. From spread offenses to wishbone triple option to a wing-T offense, the Lions have seen just about all that there is to see. This week the Lions will see an amalgamation of different offenses as the Firebirds work to overcome the loss of quarterback Boston Baker.

Lawrence coach Clint Bowen expects a wide range of things from the Free State offense, particularly in the run game. Since Baker’s injury, the Firebirds have taken a different approach from the more spread passing offense the team ran at the start of the year. Backup quarterback Finn Moore finished with more rushing yards than passing yards in last week’s game against Shawnee Mission Northwest. Containing Moore and the running backs will be the top priority for the Lions.

“They’re very heavy running with a limited pass game,” Bowen said. “The last two games have drastically changed their offensive philosophy and schemes. This week we will see a little bit of everything, from wildcat to spread to QB run to six o-line on the field. The defense has had to adjust (to different offenses) every week.”

The Lions have shown to be able to control the run game, from a tough loss to Gardner Edgerton to a gritty win against Olathe East. Both times, the run defense held its own against a dominant rushing attack. However, the Lions have also shown the ability, or inability, to defend the run at other times. Against Olathe South, the defense struggled and allowed the Falcons to run their way to an upset victory at Lawrence High School.

To win, the Lions can’t let that happen again. Winning the game physically in the trenches will be of the utmost importance.

Offensively, the Lions will be up against a front seven that has been physical and dominant in the run game all year long. The Firebirds defense has been stout all year with a strong front seven.

“They’ve played really solid in every game so far this year,” Bowen said. “Their three D-linemen and four linebackers have done an excellent job stopping the run. It’s very tough to run the ball against these guys.”

The Lions will have their hands full when trying to create a consistent ground attack. The passing game, which has been the strength of the offense all year long, will need to continue to make plays and eventually open up opportunities for Tahj Edwards and the run game.

The game comes after the disappointing loss to Olathe South. Inconsistency from games to practices have been an issue for the team through the year, and the team is going to need to finish strong and keep up the momentum in order to compete in the postseason.

“We’ve had a hard time overcoming that, and it’s hurt us as a team,” Bowen said. “In the Olathe East game, we played an extremely physical game. That’s the way we need to play… That’s what wins playoff games. Against Olathe East, we played with great pad level, great physical play. We got back to Olathe South and stood up and got knocked off the ball. We need to play a physical, smart brand of football.”

Last year, the Lions won 31-24 in overtime over Free State. That’ll be enough motivation for the Firebirds to give the Lions their best shot. Lawrence needs to match that if the Lions are to win another game over the Firebirds.