Lawrence High’s football team has defeated Olathe South in each of the last two years. Making it three in a row won’t be easy.

“They’re a good program,” said LHS coach Dirk Wedd, whose Lions (2-3 overall, 2-2 Sunflower League) will play host to the Falcons (4-1, 2-0) at 7:30 tonight at Haskell Stadium. “We’ve been fortunate to beat them the last two years, but they’ve really come on this year. They’re an outstanding football team. They’ll be a great challenge for this group.”

South has won four straight games since losing its opener to Olathe North, 31-7. The Falcons bounced back in dominating fashion, outscoring their opposition by a combined score of 138-59.

“They’re outstanding defensively,” Wedd said. “They’re second in the league against the run.”

That could be bad news for the Lions, who rely almost exclusively on their ground attack. O-South ranks last in the league in pass defense, but that might not be much of a factor tonight. The Lions ran the ball on 52 of 55 plays last week in a 42-21 victory over Shawnee Mission South. Lawrence’s two completions came on halfback passes by Nolan Kellerman.

Lawrence’s offense, however, is starting to click. After averaging 12 points in its first three games — all losses — LHS has topped 40 in each of its last two outings.

“We dug ourselves a hole by losing our first three games,” Wedd said. “We’re starting to dig ourselves out. Any time you win, you feel better about yourself and play with more confidence.”

Lawrence’s Jeff Colter has rushed for 406 yards in the last two games after missing one game and most of another because of illness. The Lions likely will need another big game from the senior running back to keep up with South’s offense.

“They have a couple of outstanding running backs and maybe the best wide receiver in the conference,” Wedd said. “Their quarterback has done a good job leading them to four wins.”

Olathe South ranks third in the league in scoring (29 points per game), rushing (232 yards per game) and total offense (332.6).

South quarterback Brady Croucher ranks fourth in the league with 503 passing yards. Last week in a 27-14 victory over Free State, Croucher passed for 82 yards and a touchdown and also led South with 86 yards rushing.

The Falcons rotate backs Tony Bryant, Devin Cummings and Henry Lige in the backfield, while Bryce Morris ranks among the league leaders with 11 catches for 210 yards and three TDs.

“We’ve shown flashes the last two weeks of becoming a really good defense,” Wedd said. “We’re starting to put the pieces together. The kids are starting to understand their responsibilities.”

The Lions will open district play at 7 p.m. Friday at Washburn Rural.

“This is a big game,” Wedd said. “You want to feel good about yourself and have some momentum going into district.”

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Champs back: Lawrence High will honor its 1979 state-championship team in a pregame ceremony. The former champs will gather at 5:30 tonight for a tailgate party in Haskell’s southeast parking lot. Members of the 1963 championship team also will be in attendance for the class of 1964’s reunion.