A leisurely stroll through the Lawrence High School athletic facilities serves as a constant reminder – the objective for LHS football never changes.

“To walk through the gymnasium where there’s 26 state championships for football,” coach Dirk Wedd said, “obviously our goal is to win a state championship.”

As LHS looks to snare its first state title in 10 years, the Lions face the daunting challenge of replacing 18 departed seniors from the 2005 squad, which finished 10-2 and reached the Class 6A state semifinals. The returning seniors admit they carry a large burden.

“We don’t have that much experience,” senior quarterback Chance Riley said.

Two factors, though, bode well for the 2006 team. Last year’s team was so strong that LHS blew out many of its opponents, allowing the younger players to receive mop-up action. The underclassmen also gained valuable experience by practicing against the formidable varsity squad.

“That’s going to pay dividends,” Wedd said.

It paid off in 2004 when LHS also lost a large senior class from a 7-3 team. After losing their first three games, the Lions improved down the stretch, finishing that season 6-5 with a loss to the eventual state runner-up in the state quarterfinals. Although the veteran coach has gone through this process before, 2006 represents a special circumstance.

LAWRENCE HIGH QUARTERBACK CHANCE RILEY will pose a double threat out of the Lions' backfield this season. At 6-foot-5, he's not only hard to tackle, but he also has a clear view downfield, a plus on those rare occasions LHS decides to pass.

“You don’t coach for 30 years and not experience a little bit of everything,” Wedd said. “It’s a little unusual at the high school level because usually you don’t have as strong a senior class as we did last year.”

On offense, it’s no secret what LHS will try to accomplish. Senior Tony Williams succinctly described the emphasis.

“LHS will run the ball,” he said.

In 2006, new players will assume that role as the Lions try to replace Nolan Kellerman, last year’s all-state performer. Williams, the likely starter at halfback, has experience. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, who has the size to blast through tackles, played in every game last year. Fullback Tyler Hunt, the team’s only junior, will block for Williams on many occasions, but both should receive opportunities.

“We’d like for our tailback to carry it a bit more, but we’ll go with the hot hand,” Wedd said. “I anticipate they’ll both get their fair share.”

Although the Lions will pound the running game, they will also take advantage of Riley’s 6-foot-5 stature, which gives him a distinct advantage.

“It’s a lot easier to throw,” Riley said. “Most quarterbacks in high school can’t see over the big linemen.”

His large frame also allows him to gain more yardage on quarterback sneaks while falling forward.

Riley said he “learned how to fight” from last year’s starting quarterback, Brian Heere. He hopes to use those lessons in directing the team.

“I try to be a vocal leader,” Riley said.

Lawrence must find the players who will catch Riley’s passes. Although senior Nathan Padia’s status at wide receiver is solidified, the rest of the corps has to do a better job hauling in passes.

“I’m not at all satisfied with the way we’re catching the football,” Wedd said.

Along the offensive line – which Wedd deemed the key to any team’s success – Lawrence returns some valuable experience. Seniors Patrick Johnson, Paul Finch and Nick DeBiasse started last year.

“They understand what it takes,” Wedd said. “We’ve just got to find two or three more kids that want to play at the level.”

Johnson replaced Finch in the starting lineup when the latter tore his anterior cruciate ligament last year. Finch has practiced since the season’s start and expects to play in Lawrence’s season opener Friday against Olathe North.

“It’s coming along great,” Finch said.

Offense isn’t the only area where LHS will rely upon a tried-and-true formula.

Other schools have changed defensive schemes time and again, but the Lions will continue to employ a 50 defense, featuring five defensive linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs, in 2006.

“We’ve been a 50 defense for about 50 years at this school,” Wedd said. “We’re not gonna change.”

Last year’s team led the conference in total defense, and an experienced defensive front should remain stout this year. Finch, who has better quickness than most of the opposing offensive linemen he faces, started for three years along the defensive line. DeBiasse has started for two years at linebacker while Johnson started along the defensive line last year.

“We can build a football team around those three,” Wedd said. “We’ll be OK up front.”

Although the defensive line remains solid, questions remain in the secondary. The play of the defensive backs progressed slowly during August practices.

“We need those guys to step up,” Finch said.

As for the final piece of the three-dimensional puzzle – special teams – the coaching staff has narrowed down the kicking and punting situation, but LHS must find a return specialist to handle kickoffs and punts.

Abby Vestal, one of two soccer specialists who kicked for the Lions last year, should hold off a few soccer players to reclaim that position.

“It’s Abby’s job to lose,” Wedd said. “She’ll do a good job for us.”

Asked how the team handles having a girl on the roster, Wedd chuckled.

“Don’t go there,” he said. “You need to get some other hot button issue to go with.”

Lawrence’s punting game is not a pressing issue, either. Williams or Hunt, two athletic players with strong legs, will handle that duty.

The Lions, however, need to find a returner. Currently eight to 10 players are vying for that job.

“There’s some huge question marks there,” Wedd said. “But we’ll find some guys.”