New season, new stadium

Lawrence High School fans exult at first true ‘home’ game

Lawrence High students go wild after the Lions managed to stop Shawnee Mission North deep in their territory late in the second quarter Friday at Lawrence High School. From center left are LHS seniors Chris Parker, Tim Thompson and Steven Melton. Comments about the school’s new stadium remained overwhelmingly positive from those in attendance, even though construction crews were still working to add the finishing touches Friday evening.

It was home field advantage Friday night for the Lawrence High School Lions, this time in the literal sense.

Several thousand LHS faithful filed into the west stands of the new football stadium for the season opener Friday night. For years, the city’s high schools played their home games at Haskell Stadium at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Those who were in attendance Friday said they believe the new stadium is something each student, past and present, can be proud of.

“The football players get to walk straight out of the school into their complex; the same with the band,” Bill Goodson said. “You have a lot less exposure also because you don’t have to load kids up in buses and go back and forth in your own city.”

While construction crews are still putting the finishing touches on the stadium and its stands, on Friday night it seemed as though no one noticed.

“It’s incredibly exciting,” said Patrick McCarty, LHS band director. “The kids are totally pumped and we’ve got our new uniforms going as well so it is an incredibly special evening.”

Construction is also wrapping up across town at Free State High School, where the Firebirds will play their home opener Sept. 18 against Shawnee Mission North.