It still was the same rotten result on the Haskell Stadium scoreboard, but the Lawrence High football team looked loads better Friday against Shawnee Mission North — even with the youngest lineup it has had in years.

LHS fell, 28-14, to the Indians on Friday, dropping the Lions to 0-3 on the season. SM North’s passing attack picked apart a depleted Lawrence secondary, and LHS mistakes — as much as they’ve been cut down — still bled through on the scoreboard.

“We’re taking small steps,” LHS coach Dirk Wedd said. “You want that quantum leap, but it’s just not there.”

Regardless, the Lions showed hope that things can get turned around sooner rather than later. Offensively, they moved the ball far better than they have all year, even without top running back Jeff Colter, and without running back Ian Handshy or offensive tackle Aaron Kie at 100 percent. All fell ill during practices this week, Colter so much so that he didn’t suit up Friday.

The young Lions proved their worth, though. On the game’s opening drive, the Lions — with no seniors starting during the first offensive series — bullied their way 80 yards down field while eating a gigantic piece out of the clock. When junior Nolan Kellerman finally rumbled into the end zone on a one-yard run, only 1:01 remained in the first quarter, and SM North’s offense had yet to take the field.

On that 17-play drive alone, Kellerman rushed for 52 yards, while junior Matthew Stiles gained 33 yards on five carries. The offensive line opened up holes on the outside for Kellerman, and up the middle for Stiles nearly every play.

“Our line stepped it up,” said Kellerman, who led Lawrence’s powerful rushing attack with 154 yards on 29 carries. “They did a great job tonight.”

Lawrence High's Nolan Kellerman is brought down by Shawnee Mission North's Chad Cross. Kellerman had 29 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns, but the Lions lost, 28-14, Friday night at Haskell Stadium.

The Indians (2-1) needed just one offensive snap to take the lead after the epic opening drive, though. Running back Jajwan Shields, who was contained most of the game, took the first SM North play from scrimmage and scored on a 70-yard touchdown run.

The Indians added two more scores in the second quarter on touchdown passes by Mack Brown — one after Lawrence fumbled close to the Indians’ red zone.

Lawrence scored late in the half when a 12-play, 70-yard drive was capped by another short touchdown run by Kellerman.

The Lions sputtered in the second half, and resorted to passing late in the game with minimal success. The 203 rushing yards were encouraging, though; it was more than they had in the first two weeks combined.

The key now is to see how the Lions rebound after the discouraging 0-3 start. The experience is building in all of the young players, but they’re still waiting to see it translate into an all-important victory.

6Sports video: Lions come up short Photo Gallery: LHS and FSHS Homecomings

The next two weeks for LHS are on the road — starting Thursday against SM East.

“I think it’s so important that we take it one game at a time,” Wedd said. “We’re almost there. These guys showed more passion tonight than a lot of Lawrence High football teams I’ve coached.”