After a long week of practices, it’s finally time for Lawrence High and Free State football teams to take the field.

Even though this City Showdown is much earlier in the season and doesn’t have the usual postseason implications, it hasn’t toned down the excitement from players for the game at 7 tonight at LHS.

“I’m pretty excited because this is the first game I’ve actually like played in — started in — the LHS game, so this is pretty exciting for me,” Free State senior tight end and defensive end Blake Murray said. “It’s probably the biggest game I’ve ever played in.”

After a 14-7 loss last week against Olathe North, Free State’s offense ended the game with a bad taste in their mouth when they were limited to less than 20 total yards in the second half. The Firebirds are hoping to make up for those mistakes with a quick start against LHS.

“We want to come back,” FSHS senior center Coleman Houk said. “Obviously we wanted to beat O-North and beating LHS is definitely something we circle on our calendars each year.”

Yet, Free State players aren’t the only ones ready to play and hoping to jump to a quick start.

“Oh I’m pumped. I’m ready to go,” LHS junior quarterback Alan Clothier said. “Last year I was supposed to start but I ended up getting injured so I missed that year. So this is my first game I get to play in against Free State, and just having the whole crowd yelling at me is going to be awesome.”

Players and coaches from both schools said they believe the biggest key will be which group of linemen on both sides of the ball can make the biggest impact in the game. Behind the linemen, I wrote a story on the duo of running backs at LHS, while the Lions’ defense is focused on limiting Free State dual-threat quarterback Bryce Torneden.

“Obviously Bryce, he has the capability to really create,” junior linebacker and tight end Price Morgan said. “They got a lot of good guys. They’re a solid team. We just have to play our assignments and just take care of business.”

After the Lions beat Leavenworth last week, 21-14, they’re confident they can protect their home field against Free State.

“It was a good win,” Lions senior lineman Stephen Garcia said. “Leavenworth is a good team. They beat us last year. After beating a good team here at LHS, we’re 1-0 on our field, I mean it gives us confidence to stay undefeated on our field.”

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I stopped by each school to get video introductions of both teams’ starters on offense and defense. I also asked all of the players to name their favorite pre-game meal (you’ll notice Jimmy John’s will never go out of business thanks to LHS). You can watch the video below:

http://www2.ljworld.com/videos/2014/sep/19/35975/

Free State’s probable starters:

Offense: LT — Scott Frantz, sr.; LG — Shane Hofer, sr.; C — Coleman Houk, sr.; RG — Josiah LeBrun, sr.; RT — Tanner Liba, jr.; QB — Bryce Torneden, jr.; RB — Carson Bowen, sr.; H-back — Joel Spain, sr.; WR — Tye Carter, sr.; WR — Andrew Keating, sr.; TE — Blake Murray, sr.; K — Joel Spain, sr.; P — Tye Carter, sr.

Defense: DE — Blake Murray, sr.; NG — Michael Georgie, sr.; DE — Shane Hofer, sr.; OLB — Drew Tochtrop, jr.; MLB — Jay Dineen, so.; LB — Paul Bittinger, jr.; LB — Zion Bowlin, so.; OLB — Carson Bowen, sr.; CB — Andrew Keating, sr.; CB — Joel Spain, sr.; FS — Bryce Torneden jr.

Lawrence High’s probable starters:

Offense: LT — Stephen Garcia, sr.; LG — Nathan Koehn, jr.; C — Cole Greenwood, sr.; RG — Jacob Unruh, so.; RT — Amani Bledsoe, jr.; QB — Alan Clothier, jr.; RB — JD Woods, jr.; H — Stevin Hays, sr.; WR — Nyle Anderson, sr.; WR — Zak McAlister, sr.; TE — Price Morgan, jr.; K — Ellis Springe, sr.; P — Luke Zenger, sr.

Defense: DE — Cole Greenwood, sr.; NG — Nathan Koehn, jr.; DE — Amani Bledsoe, jr.; OLB — Konner Kelley, jr.; ILB — Price Morgan, jr.; ILB — Tanner Green, jr.; OLB — Stevin Hays, sr.; CB — JD Woods, jr.; CB — Ivan Hollins, jr.; SS — J’Mony Bryant, jr.; FS — Dearion Cooper, sr.
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Lawrence High’s boys soccer team has jumped to a 2-1-1 start to the season, and has only allowed one goal in those four games.

A big reason they’ve been so successful in limiting opposing teams is because of their back line of defense: junior Brennan Davies, junior Sam Dykes, senior Matt Mantooth and senior Ellis Springe. They have a strong combination of speed and strength, and are tough to get around.

“We’ve got such great speed back there,” LHS coach Mike Murphy said. “Our two center backs are just fantastic athletes and they are real smart, too, with their timing on their tackles.”

The back line of defense has certainly been the Lions’ strong suit in the early part of the season, but players and coaches are confident that the attackers will get up to speed soon.

“It’s the furthest along,” Murphy said of the back line. “We’ve got three of four guys back there that are returning varsity lettermen, so that helps. Now granted, in the midfield we have a lot of returning lettermen as well, but midfield it just takes more time to coordinate your attack.”

Meanwhile, Free State’s boys soccer team also has a 2-1-1 record. This week, the Firebirds tied Shawnee Mission West, 2-2, after falling behind by two goals in the first half on Tuesday, and lost to Shawnee Mission East, 8-1, on Thursday.
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Some quick notes on a couple of Lawrence natives:

•Former Free State distance running star Bailey Sullivan was named Texas Christian University’s female Athlete of the Week. She led TCU women’s cross country team with a ninth-place finish at the UT-Arlington Season Opener, with a time of 18:18.4 in the 5,000 meter race.

•Former Free State quarterback and defensive back Joe Dineen made his Kansas University debut at running back in the Jayhawks’ 41-3 loss to Duke. He ran for 28 yards on six carries.

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As always, feel free to comment, email me, or find me on Twitter @nightengalejr.