photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High quarterback Tre Jackson stiff arms Olathe North linebacker AJ Patillo during the second quarter on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 at Lawrence High School.

Sophomore quarterback Tre’ Jackson couldn’t resist the tears after a narrow 48-23 loss to Olathe North Friday night at LHS on Senior Night.

“I love (the seniors), I am gonna miss them,” Jackson said. “I’m just sorry I let them down.”

LHS head coach Steve Rampy credited Jackson along with his sophomore-loaded offense for their first contested game of the season.

“I told them to feel good about tonight,” Rampy said. “This is the first time we were on a football field and played like a football team. It took us seven weeks to get here, but were still here with a young, young (team).”

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High quarterback Tre Jackson throws against the Olathe North defense during the second quarter on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 at Lawrence High School.

The Lions opened up strong on offense, scoring on their first drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to junior Chris McGee from Jackson, who opened the game completing all five of his passes for 74 yards.

McGee caught nine passes for 159 yards on the night, scoring twice for the Lions in the first half to put the Lions within a score to start the second half.

Sophomore tight end Drew Meyer did well with blocking Olathe North’s secondary on pick plays to help get McGee open. Lawrence’s young offensive line with sophomores MJ Issa and Porter Dannevik were holding off North long enough for Jackson to get his 29 passes off.

The Lions had the ball inside the Fighting Eagles 20-yard line, but couldn’t put any points on the board after Jackson fired what could have been a touchdown pass to McGee, and kicker Ross Brungardt missed a 41-yard field goal. Brungardt missed an extra point earlier in the half.

Junior Dre Bridges took the opening kickoff 85 yards to pull Lawrence within a score. With strong returns earlier in the game, Bridges had over 120 yards on special teams.

Lawrence gave up two more touchdowns, but closed the deficit with a 30-yard field goal by Brungardt after driving the ball 66 yards downfield. Jackson finished the game with 13 completions for 220 yards.

“This is by far the best stretch of football (Tre’ has) put together,” Rampy. “He saw things, and put the ball in the right spot, I was really proud of them.”

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High head coach Steve Rampy rallies his players after a touchdown against Olathe North during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 at Lawrence High School.

Sophomore running back Devin Neal opened up the game with a pair of short gains, but managed just four yards on the night after sustaining an injury. Junior running back Austin Hollins wasn’t able to do much more, rushing for 23 yards from scrimmage and catching two passes for 41 yards.

Although they held the Eagles scoreless after a quarter, the Lions defensive line didn’t have the best outing. Lawrence gave up 542 total yards, which started with a late touchdown in the first half.

Senior Caleb Mondi sacked North’s Arland Bruce IV in the first half when he had a receiver open. Senior Eric Galbreath got to Daymon Sanchez for a loss in the second half, which could have been a touchdown. On the final defensive play of the game, sophomore linebacker Corbin Oberzan tackled an Eagle for a goal line stand.

Lawrence (1-6) and Free State (7-0) will square off in the City Showdown at 7 p.m. Friday at FSHS.

OLATHE NORTH 48, LAWRENCE 23

ON | LHS

First downs 17 | 12

Rushes-yards 54-413 | 16-33

Passing yards 129 | 220

Total offense 548 | 236

Fumbles-lost 2-0 | 0-0

Interceptions 1 | 0

Penalties-yards 5-47 | 7-55

Score by quarters

Olathe North 0 21 20 7 — 48

Lawrence 7 6 3 0 — 23

Individual statistics

Rushing

ON: Daymon Sanchez 25-283, Arland Bruce IV 17-68, Jerrett Kendricks 3-12, Cory lawson 1-4, Devin Stooker 2-17, Ivan Avila 1-5, Elijah Williams 2-15, Khalil Cullors 3-9.

LHS: Devin Neal 2-4, Austin Hollins 11-23, Tre’ Jackson 15-4, Jeremy Jacobson 3-2, Team 2-(minus 17).

ON: Arland Bruce IV 6-14-129

LHS: Tre’ Jackson 13-29-220

Receiving

ON: Elijah Williams 4-54, Devin Stooker 1-60, Daymon Sanchez 1-15.

LHS: Chris McGee 9-159, Devin Neal 1-4, Austin Hollins 2-41, Bryson Cummins 1-16.

HOW THEY SCORED

First quarter

5:51 — Chris McGee 30 pass from Tre’ Jackson. Ross Brungardt kick good. (ON 0, LHS 7)

Second quarter

11:54 — Devin Stooker 14 run. Zach Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 7, LHS 7)

7:05 — Daymon Sanchez 3 run. Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 14, LHS 7)

4:43 — McGee 8 pass from Jackson. Brungardt kick no good. (ON 14, LHS 13)

3:56 — Devin Stooker 60 pass from Arland Bruce IV. Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 21, LHS 13)

Third quarter

11:46 — Dre Bridges 89 kickoff return. Brungardt kick good. (ON 21, LHS 20)

9:40 — Sanchez 2 run. Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 28, LHS 20)

6:56 — Sanchez 67 run. Willoughby-Neal kick blocked. (ON 34, LHS 20)

4:43 — Brungardt 30 field goal. (ON 34, LHS 23)

2:07 — Sanchez 28 run. Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 41, LHS 23)

Fourth quarter

10:35 — Sanchez 31 run. Willoughby-Neal kick good. (ON 48, LHS 23)