Spacious.

That was the word ninth-grader Andrew Vetter used to describe the biggest difference between Lawrence and Chicago.

The Vetter family recently moved from the Chicago suburb of Oak Grove, Ill., to Lawrence because his father took a job at Washburn University.

Vetter said adjusting to the Midwest lifestyle hasn’t been too difficult. But he couldn’t help but recall some of the fun things he used to do in Chicago.

“Oh, everything,” Vetter said, noting hanging out with friends, going to movies, ball games at Wrigley Field and attending other sporting events.

Although Vetter has been in Lawrence for just a few weeks, one adjustment he had to make early on was the differences during football practice.

“Practice is much harder here. Coaches are trying to coach us up to the next level. They’re pushing us every day” Vetter said.

Getting players to perform at a high level is every coach’s task. But sometimes that might be all in the numbers.

Vetter said his junior high teams in Chicago had about 60-70 players. This year’s Bulldog squad has about half that.

Having far less players on the team and the number of students in junior high school has helped Vetter make a quick transition from big school to small school. And what he likes most about his new town is his new teammates.

“I just moved here and all and they accepted me right away,” Vetter said.

Coach Skip Bennett took notice of his team welcoming Vetter with open arms.

“He’s fit right in,” Bennett said. “Sometimes when you get a new kid it can be tough, but our kids they all encourage each other.”

One thing Vetter didn’t need encouragement on was his desire to make the Bulldogs’ starting lineup.

Vetter played offensive guard during the Bulldogs practice session and made a number of quality blocks at the line of scrimmage as well as downfield.

Though coach Bennett wouldn’t reveal if Vetter would start the opening game or not, he definitely likes what he has seen so far.

“He’s a big, strong kid. He works hard,” Bennett said. “He’s got as good a chance as anybody.”

Vetter said he would be disappointed if he did not make the Bulldogs’ starting lineup. But if that result turns out to be the case, it will only make the Chicago native work even harder.

“I’m hoping to start,” Vetter said. “But if someone takes it from me I’ll just take it back with hard work.”