Lawrence High football players have seen the numbers. They’ve seen the rankings. They heard the predictions.

Yet, they’re not walking into the first round of the playoffs against top-seeded Shawnee Mission East with scared looks.

The Lions are confident in their abilities and hope they can go on the road and shock the state at 7 tonight at SM North District Stadium.

The Lancers (9-0, ranked No. 1) own the top-ranked offense in the Sunflower League, averaging 469 yards per game, and the second-ranked defense, limiting offenses to just 186 yards a night. They haven’t been challenged by another team this season, winning by an average of 41 points per game, with their closest victory by 23.

“I think that’s got the coaches on edge, and I think the kids are practicing with a little edge to them,” LHS coach Dirk Wedd said. “Obviously we’re going to have to play the best game of the year to compete with them.”

The intensity level in practice has raised, with players in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts on Wednesday, but still hitting each other and running at full speed.

“We may be in shorts and all, but we’re still working as hard as we can,” senior safety Dearion Cooper said. “(Practicing) harder than last week or the week before that.”

The Lions (5-4) have some plans to mix some things up on both sides of the ball this week, but will have their hands full against SM East’s no-huddle double wing offense. Wedd said it’ll be tough to adjust to the double wing because they haven’t faced anyone else who runs it.

Despite the difficulties, the Lions know their strengths and weaknesses. In last week’s 66-28 win over Olathe East, the Lions scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. That victory, along with strong performances in losses, has helped the Lions stay confident for SM East.

“Last week was a great game and we just have to carry it into this game, and we’ll be good,” junior cornerback Ivan Hollins said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence … so we should be good.”

After missing the playoffs last year, the Lions are happy to be back, and want to make the most of it.

“We’re hoping to just stay together, stick together,” Cooper said, “come out hitting hard and showing them what we have.”

LHS probable starters

Offense

LT — Stephen Garcia, sr.

LG — Nathan Koehn, jr.

C — Cole Greenwood, sr.

RG — Jacob Unruh, so.

RT — Trey Georgie, jr.

QB — Alan Clothier, jr.

RB — JD Woods, jr.

H — Stevin Hays, sr.

WR — Nyle Anderson, sr.

WR — Zak McAlister, sr.

TE — Price Morgan, jr.

K — Ellis Springe, sr.

P — Luke Zenger, sr.

Defense

DE — Cole Greenwood, sr.

NG — Trey Georgie, jr.

DE — Amani Bledsoe, jr.

OLB — Konner Kelley, jr.

ILB — Price Morgan, jr.

ILB — Tanner Green, jr.

OLB — Stevin Hays, sr.

CB — JD Woods, jr.

CB — Ivan Hollins, jr.

SS — J’Mony Bryant, jr.

FS — Dearion Cooper, sr.