photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High running back Tahj Edwards takes off for a touchdown against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

Olathe — A few crucial mistakes proved too costly in Lawrence football’s season opener to Olathe West, as the Lions (0-1) lost 35-31 on the road.

Despite the loss, coach Jason Thoren was pleased with how the team battled. It was a tough, physical contest, and the Lions played the way he hoped they would.

“I thought they competed hard for 48 minutes, so I was very happy with that,” Thoren said. “Obviously, we made mistakes, it was pretty easy to see, but that’s going to happen. We have to come back to work and get those things fixed.”

The run game was the deciding factor in the contest, as both teams emphasized running the ball. For the Lions, the combo of running backs Tahj Edwards, Ethan Curry, Luke Kress and quarterback Colton Curry led the team on the ground.

Lawrence started on defense with a booming kick through the end zone from Trevor Creager. The Owls started with two first downs, mainly through their physical running back Josh Foland. The initial drive started with a couple first downs, but the Lions forced a fourth-and-short, which was brought back to a fourth-and-6 after an offensive flag, leading to a punt.

Colton Curry started the game at quarterback, but he began by handing the ball off to Edwards, who gained 13 yards on his first carry. Following Edwards’s initial run, the Lions’ first drive stalled, leading to a punt on fourth-and-11.

Colton Curry finished with 174 yards through the air. In his first start, the junior showed poise as a passer and runner.

“He did a good job getting in the plays and getting out,” Thoren said. “He had a couple of scrambles, which were good. He did a good job with it.”

Olathe West’s run game consisted of Foland and quarterback Brody Hale, who started the second drive with a quarterback run. When Hale didn’t give the ball to Foland out of the backfield, he threw Foland’s way, hitting him on a wheel route, which he took to the Lions’ 15-yard line. Foland finished the drive, catching a swing pass from the 15-yard line and took it into the end zone with 4:29 in the first quarter.

Lawrence answered on its next drive, scoring a touchdown on the ground. For the second drive, Colton Curry showed his rushing ability, maneuvering his way through the middle of the defense to pick up an early first down. Wide receiver Jaxon Becker picked up a first down for himself, and the run game brought the ball into the red zone.

The Owls defense forced the Lions to use all four downs deep in Olathe West territory. On a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Colton Curry kept the ball and powered his way over the goal line for his first touchdown of the season.

The first week of the football season always includes a few gaffes as teams get back into the pace of play, but this one worked out for the Lions. On the point-after attempt following the touchdown, a low snap forced holder Becker to scramble to his right facing pressure. He threw the ball up to the end zone, finding sophomore tight end Adam Everhart for a 2-point conversion.

Lawrence’s momentum didn’t last long. Olathe West took the ensuing kick return after the Lawrence touchdown all the way to the end zone. The Owls converted a 2-point conversion of their own, taking a 15-8 lead with 9 minutes left in the first half.

Colton Curry showed his throwing ability on the Lions’ following touchdown drive. While rolling to his right, he threw a bullet to Ethan Curry right in the open space of Olathe West’s zone defense for a 28-yard reception. Two plays later, Edwards bounced through the left side of the offensive line for a 33-yard touchdown run.

The Lions defense settled in later in the first half and were successful in stopping the run. Linebacker Josh Galbreath lined up at edge rusher on a third down and perfectly read a quick pass to the flats to make a tackle, forcing the Owls to punt.

Lawrence started its next drive at their 45-yard line. Curry scrambled for a first down, followed by a short screen pass to Becker. Edwards picked up 10 yards on a fourth-and-inches, setting the Lions up in the 25-yard line. On second-and-10, Ethan Curry picked up 15 yards. A facemask on the play set up the Lions on a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line. Tahj Edwards dove through contact into the end zone.

The score stayed 21-15 into halftime, and the Lions added to their lead on their first drive out of the break. Colton Curry scrambled and found Ethan Curry for a 20-yard gain, and Edwards finished the drive with a 22-yard run to the end zone for his third score.

Edwards finished the game with 39 carries for 214 yards. Overall, the Lions ran the ball 49 times for just under 250 yards. Thoren said the offensive line got off the ball and did well in opening up run games.

On third-and-short, the Lions stuffed the Owls, leading to a punt on Olathe West’s first drive out of halftime. Lawrence had its own stalled drive, and a low snap on the punt gave the Owls the ball deep in Lawrence territory. Olathe West scored on a fourth-and-goal as Sam Krzykowski leaked behind the defense in the end zone for the touchdown.

With a one-score difference, Olathe West got a hand on Colton Curry’s third-down pass on third down, leading to an interception with the ball at Lawrence’s 15-yard line. The Owls finished the drive with a passing touchdown and tied the game at 28.

Lawrence kept the fight, despite having the lead dwindle away. On a third-and-7, Colton Curry uncorked a 61-yard throw to Becker, who caught the ball at the 5-yard line. The Owls remained stout on defense, moving the Lions backward and setting up a 43-yard field goal attempt, which Creager sent through the uprights, giving the Lions a 31-28 lead.

Both teams had a couple of stalled drives, but the Owls struck next with a 70-yard touchdown throw with 3 minutes left in the game.

The Lions moved the ball successfully with the pass game and moved down to the red zone with 40 seconds left. A few missed plays led to a fourth down with under 20 seconds left, and the Lions came up short with an incomplete pass. The Owls kneeled the ball and won the game.

Thoren and the Lions knew there would be some early adversity, but the demeanor of the team made an impression on Thoren. Thoren said the mistakes are correctable, and that the Lions have the right mindset to work them out.

“All of those things that hit us can be fixed and will be fixed,” Thoren said. “They played hard enough to win that game, we just have to get some stuff fixed.”

Lawrence will host Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. for the second game of the season.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High quarterback Colton Curry looks for a gap in the Olathe West defense on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High kicker Trevon Creager (24) goes to kick as senior Jaxon Becker places the ball during a Lawrence extra point attempt against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High running back Tahj Edwards (left) receives a handoff from quarterback Colton Curry during the Lions’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High kicker Trevon Creager boots the ball to the Olathe West return team during the Lions’ game on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Adam Everhart catches a pass to convert the Lions’ two-point attempt against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Alex Bart (89) and senior Devin Foster signal that the Lawrence ball carrier has crossed the goal line against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High running back Tahj Edwards (1) is lifted by teammate Bailey Johnson after reaching the end zone during the Lions’ game against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence high’s Tahj Edwards (left) and Luke Kress celebrate a Lions touchdown against Olathe West on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at the CBAC in Olathe.