Another week, another challenge for the Lawrence High football team. Once again, it’s on the road, too.

The Lions (1-1) will face Olathe East in a rare Thursday game at the Olathe District Activities Center. Game time is set for 7 tonight, with a live broadcast on KLWN 1320.

Because the ODAC is home to Olathe East, Olathe North and Olathe South, Thursday games occasionally are necessary to accommodate everyone’s schedule. It turns into one less day of practice for the Lions, going up against one of the state’s top teams in Olathe East.

“Whatever the schedule gives you, you have to play it,” Lawrence High coach Dirk Wedd said of the short week. “You have to hook it up and go.”

Anything to get better memories in LHS’s brain. Last week, Lawrence lost a heartbreaker, 21-19, to Shawnee Mission North on an Indians touchdown with 33 seconds left. It was the first real test for Wedd and the Lions after they pushed over an inferior Leavenworth squad, 43-22, in their opening game.

Tonight is sure to be the second test. Olathe East (2-0) is ranked second in Class 6A, coming off a 28-10 victory over Shawnee Mission Northwest. The Hawks were state-title contenders a year ago, too, having defeated Lawrence, 21-19, in the state playoffs before falling to eventual champ Olathe North, 12-10.

“They’re a big, strong team and they can run the football,” Wedd said of Olathe East. “We’ll have our hands full.”

The Lions were carried by their defense against SM North last week, but the LHS offense appears to be doing better at mixing it up. Quarterback Taylor Parker was 5-of-13 passing for 89 yards last week, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Colter that gave LHS the lead late.

“Obviously we’re not big enough to line up and pound the football,” Wedd said. “We’ll have to throw more than we have in the past. The key is we have to throw it and make catches.”

Which is a new concept for a rush-happy Lions program. Last year’s team, led by running back/linebacker Brandon McAnderson, was known for its physical presence. This year’s Lions aren’t so big.

Not that they can’t win, according to Wedd.

“We’re not big enough or physical enough to just show up,” Wedd said. “We’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game every time. This little run of games is really going to toughen us up for districts.”

After tonight’s game, the Lions will return home to play Olathe South next Friday.