Homecoming may seem like an exciting time to showcase one of Lawrence High’s marquee sports, but the potential distractions represent a nightmare for coach Dirk Wedd.

“Any football coach is scared of Homecoming,” Wedd said. “It just concerns me that our kids won’t be focused when they step on the field.”

The festivities, which include a 2:30 p.m. parade and halftime ceremony, pose possible distractions, but tonight’s game against Leavenworth could pump up the players.

“There’s a little more crowd energy,” senior lineman Jake Lorenzo said. “We feed off that.”

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at Haskell Stadium

Leavenworth (0-3) is hungry. The Lions (1-2) defeated the Pioneers 49-7 in the first game last season, but lingering memories of Leavenworth’s 20-14 victory in the 2004 season opener should prevent the Lions from being overconfident.

“It was the first time Leavenworth had beaten Lawrence in about 70 years,” Wedd said. “So it’s forever ingrained in your brain.”

Wedd has been forced to make a lineup change because starting center and defensive tackle Shawn Jimboy is out with an injury. Senior Lucas Bergstrom will fill in at defensive tackle, while senior Brandon Holland will replace Jimboy at center.

“It makes everybody’s job a little bit more crucial,” Lorenzo said of Holland’s first start. “We have someone stepping in who hasn’t played varsity yet. So we’ve got to show him how things are done.”

Meanwhile, senior Nick DeBiasse, who missed the first two games with a knee injury before playing sparingly in last week’s 42-21 win over Shawnee Mission South, will start at linebacker. DeBiasse should help shore up a defense which has allowed more than 150 rushing yards in each game.

“He makes a big difference on defense,” junior linebacker Tyler Hunt said of the 6-foot-2, 235-pound DeBiasse. “We also get more rest, and he has a lot of experience.”

On offense last week, the Lions re-established their vaunted running attack with a 375-yard performance that featured 207 yards from Tony Williams and 101 from Hunt. Williams also scored three touchdowns.

“He isn’t the type of running back that does all the juking,” Hunt said of his backfield mate. “He’s really all about power.”

Lawrence High opened with back-to-back home losses – each by a touchdown – to Olathe North and Olathe South before knocking off SM South on the road last week.

“The seniors have missed two opportunities to win at Haskell,” Wedd said. “They need to make sure they take advantage.”