Topeka ? It’s never too late to experiment, not even seven games into the football season.

Coach Dirk Wedd tweaked his lineup Friday night, and Lawrence High cruised to a 31-7 victory over Washburn Rural in its Class 6A sub-state opener.

“It’s not like we’re a great football team,” Wedd said. “We’re just trying to find 11 football players.”

Experiment No. 1 was to start Clifton Sims at fullback, and it didn’t take long for that move to bear fruit. On the fourth play from scrimmage, the diminutive 5-foot-5, 165-pound sophomore burst up the middle and ran 36 yards into the end zone.

“The little Sims kid has been running good in practice,” Wedd said, “and he deserved an opportunity.”

For his part, Sims not only showed the physical skills, he proved he knows what running backs are supposed to say afterward.

“It was a great experience,” Sims said, smiling, “but it was all about my line.”

Sims finished with 76 yards on 11 carries while starting in place of junior Tyler Hunt who still carried 7 times for 22 yards and continued to start at linebacker.

“Tyler still got some carries,” Wedd added, “and this keeps him fresh on defense.”

Experiment No. 2 was to shift Tony Williams from strong safety to defensive end.

“I had to learn quick this week,” Williams said. “I get a lot more contact up there.”

Williams earned one of the three sacks the Lions recorded against Rural quarterback Jordan Ochsner. At the same time, the 6-0, 200-pound senior carried the bulk of the rushing load, as usual, finishing with 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Wedd’s decision to shift Williams from the secondary to the line was made for one reason.

“Our defense isn’t real fast and we’re trying to get as many athletes on the field as we can,” the Lions’ coach said.

Williams replaced Chance Riley, who can now concentrate strictly on playing quarterback. Against the Junior Blues, Riley completed 4-of-10 passes for 91 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Padia.

In the secondary, Malcolm Sims – Clifton’s older brother – shifted from free safety to Williams’ old post, and Jared Vinoverski took over for Sims.

That’s a defensive alignment that’s likely to remain intact for next week’s intracity showdown with fleet-footed Free State. Asked if Wedd made the moves in anticipation of playing the unbeaten Firebirds, he replied: “We’re just trying to win football games.”

In scoring three touchdowns on their first three possessions against the 1-6 Junior Blues, the Lions bounced back smartly from last week’s stunning 51-7 loss at Shawnee Mission West.

“I was very concerned about our confidence,” Wedd said. “They were shocked by what happened. We needed to get back on the bicycle and ride it again.”

After the fast start the Lions (4-3) settled for a 28-7 halftime lead, then produced only a 22-yard field goal by Abby Vestal – her career second – in the third quarter.

Nevertheless, Lawrence High dominated by running 56 plays to Rural’s 41. The Junior Blues scored on a 65-yard drive in the first quarter, but produced only three plays with double-digit yardage and two of them came in the waning moments against the Lions’ No. 2 defense.

Sophomore quarterback Clint Pinnick guided a 15-play drive late in the fourth quarter that carried to the Rural one, but fizzled when Vestal’s 20-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Neither Lawrence nor Washburn Rural was guilty of a turnover. The Lions were forced to punt just once.

Lawrence High will be the host for Friday’s clash with Free State. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at Haskell Stadium.