Lawrence High senior E.J. Jewsome can vividly remember his first varsity snap. At the time, the then-junior defensive tackle thought he blew by the opposing offensive lineman with ease. Jewsome immediately felt the jitters of his first varsity contest just disappear. It wasn’t until the following film session that Jewsome discovered the truth to his debut for the Lions. “I thought I did a pretty good job ...
It’s hard to believe that the first half of the regular season is already in the books. Since it is the midway point of the football season, it’s worth mentioning some notable items regarding the area football teams. A lot can certainly change in the second half of the regular season, but it is pretty clear what teams and players have shined thus far. This notebook will highlight those particular ...
Free State and Lawrence High girls tennis squared off one last time before the postseason in a dual Tuesday at LHS. Both the Firebirds and Lions understood the importance of going into the Sunflower League tournament on a strong note. Yet, Tuesday’s meet was unique, as players got the opportunity to play both doubles and singles. “It’s kind of fun to take a break in the season before we get to crunch ...
Lawrence is home to a pair of talented gymnastics teams this year. That has been evident through the early part of the season. Lawrence High won each of its first three meets, setting the tone for a strong year. Free State, meanwhile, claimed first over LHS at the FSHS Invitational on Saturday. Due to the fact there were no bars, team scores weren’t officially posted. However, the Firebirds topped the Lions ...
It wasn’t as quick as usual, but Free State’s football team was able to take care of business for the fourth consecutive week. After being a tied through two quarters, the Firebirds scored four times in the second half to claim a 35-14 victory over Shawnee Mission West Friday at FSHS. Even though head coach Bob Lisher wasn’t satisfied with his team’s overall performance, he will certainly take a win ...
Free State senior Jake Zenger couldn’t remember much in the moments following his first career touchdown catch. Junior quarterback Malik Berry connected with Zenger on an 8-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of Free State’s 62-0 route of Shawnee Mission North. After that, it was all a blur to Zenger, who was overwhelmed with congratulatory messages from his teammates. As soon as he got to the ...
Moments after Lawrence High notched its first victory of the season, the team gathered around midfield. Senior linebacker Caleb Mondi handed the game ball to head coach Steve Rampy, congratulating him on his first win with LHS. The Lions then swarmed their coach to celebrate the 21-6 victory over Olathe Northwest Thursday at College Boulevard Activity Center. “That was super special,” Mondi said. ...
It’s not hard to spot Lawrence High senior Eric Galbreath Jr. on the football field. The 6-foot-7, 213-pound defensive end has towered over every offensive line he’s faced during his final season. Galbreath has been vital in slowing down opposing run games for the Lions, who have started the year with an 0-3 record. “I think he’s got a great future in football if he wants it,” head coach Steve Rampy ...
For as long as he can remember, Bishop Seabury junior Henry Nelson hasn’t been able to slow down. That has been evident during his time with the Seahawks over the last two-plus years. Nelson runs for both the cross-country team and track squad. Nelson also played soccer and basketball during his freshman and sophomore seasons. In the summer, Nelson competes in cycling competitions around the area. “My mom ...
Lawrence High’s volleyball team has demonstrated its dominance on a weekly basis this season. This past week was no different, as LHS swept its first home meet of the year. Lawrence (9-1) knocked off Olathe West and Shawnee Mission North during Tuesday’s triangular. The Lions moved up to No. 3 in Class 6A, according to the most recent poll by the Kansas Volleyball Association. Seniors Sammy Williams, ...
Lawrence High senior punter Ross Brungardt made a perfect play on the opening drive. After the LHS offense stalled out, Brungardt pinned the opposition on the 6-yard line with a tremendous punt. Yet Gardner Edgerton proceeded to march down the field on nine runs during a nine-play drive to take an early advantage on the team’s first possession. The Trailblazers ran all over the Lions’ defense the rest of ...
Lawrence High senior linebacker Caleb Mondi hasn’t always been a defensive superstar. In fact, Mondi didn’t even play on the defensive side of the ball until the 2017 season. Mondi, who has been playing football since the third grade, only really knew how to play receiver prior to making the switch. One year after flipping sides, Mondi is the team’s best defensive player and has shown the potential to ...
The Bishop Seabury volleyball team has stormed onto the scene through the first 15 games of the 2018 campaign. After going 2-0 in a triangular at East Lawrence Recreation Center Tuesday, the Seahawks are now 12-3 to start the season and are ranked No. 5 in Class 2A via the Kansas Volleyball Association. Bishop Seabury bested KC East Christian Academy (25-19, 25-18) and Veritas (25-19, 25-17) to tack on two more ...
The Lawrence High volleyball team has hit the ground running to start the 2018 season. Lawrence defeated Olathe South (25-11, 25-14) and Shawnee Mission South (25-12, 25-17) in a triangular Tuesday. The Lions then finished second at the Olathe South tournament Saturday, which included wins over Olathe South, Shawnee Mission South, Blue Valley Northwest and Manhattan. Blue Valley North, the No. 1 team in Class ...
Not even Mother Nature could slow down the Free State football team. Despite the wet conditions, Free State looked just as flawless on the offensive end during a 41-0 victory over Olathe East Friday at FSHS. The Firebirds scored a touchdown on all four possessions in the first half of their home opener en route to their second consecutive shutout of the 2018 season. “I thought we came out and set the tone ...
Free State senior Jax Dineen hasn’t stopped thinking about how the 2017 season ended. Dineen sustained an ankle injury on a 67-yard run in the first quarter of the 6A quarterfinals. Dineen was forced to watch the entire second half from the sideline, as Free State suffered an overtime loss to Derby. Friday will be the first time Dineen and the rest of his team plays a game at FSHS since that season-ending ...
Lawrence High senior Josie Hickerson hasn’t fully comprehended the idea that this is her final season in gymnastics. Hickerson, who has been competing in gymnastics since she was 4 years old, doesn’t plan on pursuing the sport at the collegiate level. As a result, Hickerson is relishing the fact that everything is going to be a last for her this fall. “It’s been my entire life,” Hickerson said. ...
The fall sports season is in full swing now with most area teams beginning the 2018 campaign this past week. Free State and Lawrence High gymnastics will open the year with a meet Tuesday at LHS, but the rest of the teams have already started the regular season. The Bishop Seabury volleyball squad has posted its best start since 2015, while many other area programs have managed to find the win column. Here’s ...
OLATHE — After winning the coin toss, Free State’s football team elected to defer to Olathe West. Yet it merely delayed the inevitable. The Firebirds forced the opposition into a punt after three plays on the first drive and wasted no time sending a message. Free State scored on the second offensive play of the 2018 season and never looked back, scoring 27 points in the first quarter during a 41-0 win ...
Even amid his busy schedule, Free State football coach Bob Lisher allows himself to sit back and reflect on his career every now and then. Just before the season opener, Lisher does just that when looking at his first opponent of the 2018 campaign, as FSHS squares off with Olathe West at 7 p.m. Friday at Olathe District Activity Center. Olathe West is the newest program of the state, competing in its first ...