After two close losses to two tough Olathe schools, Lawrence High’s football players aren’t the only ones hungry for a victory.

“Our whole school is looking for a win,” senior lineman Shawn Jimboy said.

Tonight could be the night. The Lions will be facing Shawnee Mission South, one of the Sunflower League’s weakest teams. The Raiders were ranked 11th among the league’s dozen schools in the preseason coaches poll.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. at SM South District Stadium in Overland Park.

With fewer than a handful of returning starters, Lawrence High opened the season against two of the league’s most potent teams – Olathe North and Olathe South – and bowed by a touchdown each time.

“There’s been a little bit of frustration,” senior lineman Patrick Johnson said, “but we’re trying to wash that all out and bust our butts in practice.”

Despite their inexperience, the Lions proved they could be competitive against a pair of veteran teams.

“We were tied going into the fourth quarter both times,” LHS coach Dirk Wedd said. “Now we need to grow up and learn how to finish. We’re not a real mature football team right now.”

SM South might provide the growth spurt the Lions need. The Raiders are coming off a 48-20 loss to Shawnee Mission West that wasn’t really that close. SM West, the preseason title favorite, led 34-0 at halftime.

The Lions have relied heavily on the passing duo of quarterback Chance Riley and wide receiver Nathan Padia. Riley has 12 completions and 11 have been to Padia, two for touchdowns. Riley’s only other completion has been to running back Tony Williams.

In last week’s 14-7 loss to Olathe South, the Lions compiled more passing yardage (142) than rushing yardage (106), a rarity for a program that has traditionally run first and passed as an afterthought.

“We’re pretty hyped up,” said Johnson, who will start on both offense and defense. “We can see that if we improve we’ll have a better shot.”

Added Jimboy: “It’s been hard. We’ve made a lot of mistakes, but we went over them all, and we’ve had really good practices this week.”

Notes: Nick DeBiasse, an All-Sunflower League selection as a junior last season, will see limited duty in his season debut tonight. DeBiasse, a tight end-linebacker, missed the first two games with a knee injury : Senior Aresenio Criss will make his first career start, replacing junior Jared Vinoverski (hand) at cornerback. : Senior Paul Finch, a two-way lineman, will not start, Wedd said, “because of attendance issues.”