Williams easily becomes Mr. 1,000

The Lawrence High football team played to its historical strength Friday against Topeka High, and Tony Williams is the newest member of the 1,000-yard club because of it.

The Lions rushed for 335 yards in their 52-28 victory against the Trojans. Williams led the charge with 21 carries for 167 yards and three touchdowns, the seventh time this season he has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in a game.

He now has 1,116 yards entering Friday’s Class 6A playoff game at Blue Valley North.

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Just the 10 of us: Twice this season, Lawrence High has been burned for a kickoff return for a touchdown – by Shawnee Mission South’s Keith Rodden and Topeka High’s Dorian Branch – while having Abby Vestal kick off and run off the field. Neither long TD was damaging, however. The Lions thumped SM South, 42-21, and Topeka High, 52-28.

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Nine is fine: In rolling to a 9-0 record, Free State became the first city school to finish the regular football season unbeaten since the split in 1997. Lawrence High’s best regular season record since then was 8-1 last year.

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A new weapon? Free State coach Bob Lisher has utilized Philip Ozorkiewicz more at wide receiver in recent weeks. Ozorkiewicz had two receptions for 45 yards against Lawrence High in Week 8 and two receptions for 22 yards Friday against Washburn Rural.

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Young gun: Lawrence High junior Dylan Hedges (10th place) and senior Andrew Grover (15th) received most of the attention – and deservedly so – after Saturday’s Class 6A state cross country championship at Rim Rock Farm, but keep an eye on Roy Wedge next year. Wedge, a freshman, placed 20th overall for the Lions.

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Sudden surge: The Veritas Christian football team struggled out of the gate, scoring only six points in its first three games, all losses. Since then, the Eagles have won five of their last six outings while averaging 44.6 points per game.