photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High head soccer coach Joe Comparato has been prepping his squad since school let out in May. It'll be Comparato's first year coaching the boys and girls teams this coming school year.

There’s hardly ever been a chance for Joe Comparato to step off the soccer field since the bell rang for summer break. After closing the book on his third year in charge of Lawrence High’s girls team, Comparato turned his attention over to the boys.

Comparato, a longtime figure in the Lawrence soccer community, welcomed the opportunity to add being the next head coach of the LHS boys’ program to his coaching duties. Comparato accepted the role in late April to fill a vacancy left by former head coach Brandon Daley.

This summer, Comparato’s hosting a coed camp beginning at 7 a.m. each day at LHS. This week, the team is wrapping up a third consecutive week of practices before taking some time off from July 3 to July 9 per the state’s summer moratorium, or “dead week,” for summer activities.

Last season saw LHS (5-11-1) finish the year with seven consecutive losses after opening the year 4-0-1 with league wins over Shawnee Mission North and Gardner Edgerton. When looking at last year’s tape, Comparato said steering away from one-on-one battles is a must.

“(It was) not a lot of trying to involve all your teammates in what you’re doing on the pitch,” Comparato said. “When you’re playing nonconference games, yeah you can win those by being bigger, faster and stronger, but when you’re playing (Sunflower League) teams, you gotta play soccer.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior midfielder Ocean Comfort waits for his coach’s instruction during a summer camp practice on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Lawrence High School. Comfort is part of a relatively small senior class compared to a year ago.

Among the faces not at summer camp is 2023 graduate Cale Scott. Scott, a Journal-World All-Area team selection, led the league in scoring (20 goals) and broke the school’s single-season scoring record (25 goals) in 2022.

Those are some big shoes to fill, considering Scott’s goal total ranked second across Class 6A competition last year. Returning senior midfielder Ocean Comfort said the next wave of senior Lions, which includes returning All-Sunflower members Colin Sandefur and Asher Sikes, learned some tough lessons working behind the previous senior class.

“We lost some games that we definitely could have won,” Comfort said. “There were some tough losses last year. I feel like we knew we’ll be better. Even with a smaller senior class, there are a couple of guys that have really improved and will help carry the team.”

Returning a familiar group of seniors — several previously coached by Comparato during their younger days — LHS is already making efforts to clean its slate from last year.

Comparato is pleased with the steady turnout during summer break and plans to welcome a few more varsity members back in July. That same month, LHS and Free State will be featured alongside several other Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana high schools at the STL Varsity Soccer Showcase from July 13-15 in St. Peters, Missouri.

“I was a little nervous because the program graduated so many key players, especially the league’s top scorer,” Comparato said with a laugh. “It’s tough, but I’m excited. The kids are all getting along and they’re having a blast. I’m really looking forward to this.”