photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High seniors Jadin Harrell (left) and Josh Galbreath celebrate during the City Showdown football game on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Lawrence High School in Lawrence.

It all started with practice.

The Lawrence football team noticed a difference in the team’s practices leading up to the game against Free State. Everyone was focused and hungry — there was an increased sense of urgency leading up the game.

“It feels amazing when you put the hard work in, day in and day out, it’s amazing,” senior receiver Jaxon Becker said. “This was definitely our best practice. I don’t know if it was because it was Free State or if we had a different mindset. We’re going to carry that into the playoffs and hopefully have a big run.”

It was borne out on the field. Lawrence spent the first seven weeks of the season dealing with close losses. Games slipped away in second halves, or a slow first half prevented a late comeback. On Friday, the Lions flipped the script, beating the Firebirds 24-6 with physicality, execution and hunger that the Lions lacked earlier in the season.

Senior offensive and defensive lineman Devin Foster said there was a complete change in the mentality of the team going into the Free State game. Senior linebacker Josh Galbreath said everyone came to play and was focused throughout the week. The team understood that to win on the field on Friday, it needed to be a collective effort on the field through the week.

“We were telling ourselves, ‘We just have to keep going,'” Becker said. “That kept motivating us and motivating us, being 0-7, just trying to get one against our rival.”

There was some extra motivation for the seniors on the team, who played their final game at home as Lions. With the opportunity to get the first win of the season on their final home game at Lawrence against the rivals, it was a surreal moment for the team that boosted morale.

“It’s the last time I’m playing on that field, and that’s something I’ll remember forever,” Foster said. “I’m glad we came out on top in my last game there.”

The game gave Lawrence something to celebrate during a season that left a lot to be desired. But the year didn’t end with Free State, and the Lions haven’t satisfied their craving. The playoffs start on Friday, and the Lions have a renewed sense of belief.

“At the end of the day, the tougher team is going to win the football game,” Foster said. “Whoever is playing more physical, whoever is more locked in is going to win.”

Lawrence will face a familiar opponent: Shawnee Mission Northwest. The Lions traveled to Shawnee Mission North District Stadium two weeks ago to face the Cougars and lost, 26-7. Lawrence struggled to defend the run, and some turnovers prevented the offense from keeping pace. Cougars quarterback Trai Woodruff dominated the game on the ground, leading the Cougars to the win with his running ability.

But that was a different Lawrence team. This time, the Lions have an understanding of what it takes, and it all starts with practice.

“It’s extremely important (to keep last week’s practice habits),” Galbreath said. “If we’re not coming to practice wanting to get better every single day until we get better, then it can just end in a second.”

Lawrence will have a tall task ahead. It’ll be an uphill battle for the Lions, as they start the playoffs with the 14th seed in the East. They’ll be on the road, facing most of the best teams in 6A.

“I think our whole team is super confident,” Foster said. “Our whole season, our team has known that we’re better than our record shows. We know what we can do, and we showed that tonight.”

Whether the Lions can rise to the challenge and start a playoff run will be determined, once again, at practice.

“A lot of people were looking down at us, but we’re just going to keep doing what we do,” junior running back Ethan Curry said. “I’m excited for that.”