photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Senior right tackle Kem Allen gives Lawrence High coach Clint Bowen a hug after being selected first overall at the 2023 LHS Football Draft on June 11, 2023, at 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence, Kansas.

It’s pretty evident Lawrence High head football coach Clint Bowen routinely circles the annual LHS Football Draft on his calendar every year. The third-year coach is the first one setting up the stage, setting up chairs and welcoming guests as they arrive.

Hosted at 23rd Street Brewery alongside restaurant managing partner Matt Llewellyn, the mock draft serves as a rallying point for all things LHS football.

“It’s the ending of a six-week summer program that kind of puts a final stamp on the summer with a fun event,” Bowen said. “The people take pride in this program and I’m really excited about how many people show up to support (us).”

On the eve of Wednesday’s “Summer Showcase” scrimmage, Bowen’s coaching staff piece together rosters the same way any kid might’ve picked their dodge ball teams in the schoolyard.

Assigned to either “Team Chesty” or “Team Lions,” players are drafted in order by assistant coaches Taylor Stewart and Logan Fritz — but there’s a catch. After the initial pick of the round is made, that player’s position mate is assigned to the opposite team.

Senior right tackle Kem Allen, picked second overall last year, easily received the loudest ovation from the crowd when his name was called first overall by longtime LHS coach and this year’s “honorary draft commissioner,” Dirk Wedd.

“It’s a motivator man,” Allen said after receiving the top pick. “If you get picked lower in the draft, it’s kinda like, ‘Man, I kind of got to show these guys what I can really do.'”

Last year, Allen was beaten out by fellow senior Dylan Alvarado for the No. 1 pick. Fittingly, the returning snapper Alvarado was dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” after receiving the final pick in this year’s draft.

When asked about his fall from No. 1, Alvarado said his position mate, junior Ty Silvers, stiffened up the competition during summer practices.

“It really just depends on how good your backup is,” Alvarado said after concluding the draft. “My backup (Silvers) is pretty good.”

That kind of playful division — at least for the scrimmage — is all about bringing the team and its surrounding community together.

Senior left tackle Will Hendricks, picked second overall by “Team Lions,” notched his highest-ever pick on the final draft night of his high school football career. However, the real prize, Hendricks said, will be trading his suit jacket for a set of pads Wednesday.

“It’s the big thing,” Hendricks said. “Just to get more reps, of course, but I think (Bowen) cares for the players to get as many eyes watching. This is all it does, is get more exposure and get more families out. It’s a testament to how much he cares, not only about football but about us.”

Wednesday’s showcase begins with the junior varsity scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. and the varsity scrimmage at 8 p.m.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Dirk Wedd gives a quick speech honoring late broadcaster Hank Booth at the 2023 LHS Football Draft on June 11, 2023, at 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence, Kansas.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Senior snapper Dylan Alvarado shares a laugh with Lawrence High head coach Clint Bowen after receiving the final pick of the 2023 LHS Football Draft, on June 11, 2023, at 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence, Kansas.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Senior Elijah Hernandez is jubilant after being named the 16th overall pick in the 2023 LHS Football Draft on June 11, 2023, at 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence, Kansas.