New QB steps in for Lions

Senior Miller ready for Olathe East after good week of practice

LHS probable starters

OFFENSE

TE-Quintin Rucker, 6-0, 220, Sr. LT-Chebon Dawes, 6-3, 260, Jr. LG-Skyler Countess, 5-11, 215, Sr. C-Ryan Giblin, 5-10, 215, Jr. RG-Penny Khaithianthong, 5-10, 220, Jr. RT-Stephen Mason, 6-4, 280, Jr. or Derek Huff, 5-11, 250, Sr.

QB-Andrew Miller, 6-1, 185, Sr. RB-Tyler Hunt, 6-2, 220, Sr. RB-Clifton Sims, 5-8, 175, Jr. WR-Jared Vinoverski, 6-2, 190, Sr. WR-Travis Sanders, 5-8, 160, Sr.

K-Rex Hargis, 6-0, 150, Sr.

DEFENSE

LE-Rucker. LT-Giblin. NG-Countess. RT-Dawes. RE-Aaron Rea, 6-0, 180, Jr. LB-Hunt. LB-Chase Muder, 5-9, 180, Sr.

SS-Sanders. CB-Vinoverski. CB-Josh Wedel, 5-8, 170, Sr. FS-Murphy Ray, 5-11, 175, Jr. or Jake Green, 5-11, 175, Jr.

P-Hunt.

Lawrence High football coach Dirk Wedd had a simple message for his team in preparation for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game against Olathe East at Haskell Stadium: It’s time to grow up.

That perhaps is the case for one Lion more than others: senior quarterback Andrew Miller.

After two years as a part-time quarterback, Miller gets his first crack as a varsity starter tonight against the Hawks. He takes over for junior Clint Pinnick, who is out because of an injured ankle.

Armed with eight games of sophomore experience and three and a half quarters of last week’s game, Miller enters his first Friday night start determined to get the job done.

“The biggest thing is just gaining confidence in everybody, my coaches, my teammates, the fans,” Miller said. “I just want to gain people’s confidence.”

He’s got a leg up in that area already. Wedd said Miller looked great in practice this week. He made all the throws, grew stronger as the week moved on and convinced his coach that he’d be able to get the ball to the right guys at the right time during tonight’s game.

Even with that knowledge, as well as a solid understanding of the offense, Miller admitted to being equal parts excited and nervous.

“I’d say it’s a mixture of both,” he said. “But it’s good to be nervous.”

Good thing, because the Lions (2-2) are facing their second in a stretch of three treacherous games in the middle of their schedule. In last week’s loss to Olathe South, the Lions fell behind 28-3 at the half but turned it around in the second half, holding the high-powered Falcons scoreless while tacking on a touchdown of their own. Wedd said he hoped his team took something positive away from last Friday’s final two quarters.

“Defensively, I thought that was the best half of football we’ve played here in a couple of years,” Wedd said. “And I hope that carries over to this week. These kids know how important defense is at this school. You can talk about all of the potent offenses or all of the outstanding rushers, but when it comes down to it, Lawrence High has always been known as a team that plays good defense and will fly around the field and hit you.”

Doing that against Olathe East (3-1) might be easier said than done. The Hawks are led by bruising tailback JaVon Williams and playmakers Cody Billings and Derahn Williams. All three shined in all areas of the game during East’s 23-0 victory over Olathe Northwest last week.

The Lions also shut out the Ravens, 28-0 in Week Two.

However, in order to deliver a similar defensive effort tonight, Wedd said his team would have to stop the run.

“We need to keep them from controlling the football with the ground game,” Wedd said. “If we can’t stop the run, we won’t be able to get on the field.”

Once on the field, Wedd likes his chances. His offensive line, a work in progress when the year began, has found its stride, and receivers Travis Sanders and Jared Vinoverski have become serious threats down the field.

Their presence, along with Pinnick’s guidance in practice, has helped Miller approach his first start with a little confidence of his own.

“Clint’s helped me a lot in practice, and those receivers have helped me by catching everything I’ve thrown,” Miller said. “They’ve got hands of gold. It’s really helped.”