Nobody did Lawrence High’s football team any favors for its season-opener.

The Sunflower League allowed open scheduling for the first week of the year, and the Lions will go on the road to face Blue Valley West at 7 tonight at the Blue Valley District Athletic Complex.

The Jaguars (ranked No. 3 in 5A by kpreps.com) went 8-4 last year before losing in the Class 5A state semifinals. They lost 26 seniors but still return nine starters and have a lot of offensive firepower, with a quick running back, Jon Reams, and a few big linemen.

“I felt like it was important that we played somebody we haven’t played in a while,” LHS coach Dirk Wedd said. “This is a tough game. … They’re going to be good. Overall, whoever they tell you to play, you go play.”

The Lions are just excited to get back on the field and play after a long summer of lifting weights, conditioning and practices.

“I am so ready. It’s game week, and there’s nothing quite like it,” junior tight end and linebacker Price Morgan said.

There’s still a bad taste from last year’s 3-6 record for many of the Lions, and they’re ready to show they’ve improved from last year’s growing pains.

“I think we got a big chip shoulder based on last season, making up for how we were last year,” junior lineman Amani Bledsoe said. “We just want to become a lot better team this year.”

On offense, the Lions have plenty of playmakers, with quarterback Alan Clothier, running back JD Woods, wide receivers Nyle Anderson and Zak McAlister and tight end Morgan. The biggest question will be a rebuilt offensive line, which returns two starters: Bledsoe and Cole Greenwood.

What does LHS know about Blue Valley West’s defense?

“They have some tall people. They’re pretty big,” Clothier said. “But I feel like our speed can beat them. If we’re more physical (at the line of scrimmage), then we should have a good offensive day.”

Clothier, who captured a state title in wrestling in February, split time at quarterback with Anderson last year, but now he has had the entire offseason to learn the position.

“Since the first day of summer, when we got out and started throwing and started working out, I’ve been ready for the game, and I’m so pumped and ready to go,” Clothier said.

On defense, the Lions have speed and strength. They don’t know a ton about the Jaguars’ offense, but they’re glad the season has finally arrived.

“We worked hard this whole summer,” junior cornerback J’Mony Bryant said. “We deserve a win this first game.”