Back-to-back wins have boosted Lawrence High football’s bottom line. But how good are the Lions?

“To be perfectly honest.” coach Dirk Wedd said, “we haven’t – with due respect to the teams we’ve played – beaten anybody.”

Shawnee Mission South and Leavenworth, the Lions’ two victims, have a combined record of 0-8. Lawrence High’s next foe, SM East, figures to be more litmus paper-like.

“We’re 2-2 and they’re 2-2,” senior lineman Jake Lorenzo said. “We’ll see who wants it more.”

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. today at SM South District Stadium.

On paper, the Lions appear to be gaining momentum. They opened with consecutive one-touchdown losses to Olathe North and Olathe South before mopping up on SM South and Leavenworth.

Now Wedd admits he has a “huge fear” the Lions may be headed for a letdown.

“We’re real banged up, we’ll be playing at their homecoming,” Wedd said, “and we’ve had a disappointing week of practice.”

Banged up may be an understatement.

Three senior linemen – Patrick Johnson (ankle), Phillip Wahwahsuck (leg) and Brandon Holland (mono) – are out. So, too, is defensive back Malcolm Sims, whom Wedd saddled with a one-game suspension for missing practice.

On the questionable list are center Shawn Jimboy (concussion) and running back Tony Williams (ankle), the Lions’ leading rusher. Meanwhile, fullback-linebacker Tyler Hunt (virus) is listed as doubtful.

Injuries are part of the game, but Wedd concedes, “I’ve never had it go this deep.”

Sophomore Chebon Dawes will start on both offense and defense because of the rash of ailing linemen. And if Williams and Hunt can’t open in the backfield, their spots will be filled by soph Clifton Sims and senior Lucas Bergstrom, the starting nose guard.

Chase Muder, a 5-6, 150-pound junior, will fill in for Malcolm Sims in the secondary.

SM East is coming off a 29-20 victory over SM Northwest. Running back Marcus Webb scored 23 of the Lancers’ points on three touchdowns, a field goal and two extra-point kicks.

“We need to play all 48 minutes, and do what we’re coached to do,” said Lorenzo, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound senior who is one of the few LHS linemen who has remained healthy.