photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawerence High sophomore Joey Dooley scrambles against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

Junction City spoiled Lawrence’s football home opener on Friday, as the Lions (0-2) lost 14-7 while struggling to move the ball.

A year ago, the Lions and Bluejays combined for 125 points, with touchdowns being scored up until the final seconds. This time, the game was decided almost exclusively on the ground, and both teams struggled to move the ball consistently.

“(Junction City) had a good (defensive) front, and they were packing it in on us,” coach Jason Thoren said. “I don’t think it was a lack of effort on our end. I feel like if we can get moving, then we’re going to finish in the end zone. Our kids are going to play harder than what they’re facing.”

Thoren said he has seen his team rally together, despite the early losses. Even without a win, the team improved upon its mistakes in week 1 and continued to play hard together.

“What I’m starting to see out of this group is a unity being built, and that makes me really excited for these kids,” Thoren said. “They’re going to figure it out, and when they do, they’ll be dangerous.”

Lawrence started with the ball and went three-and-out on their first drive with two incomplete passes and a 1-yard run from quarterback Colton Curry.

The defense gave the Lions great field position after forcing a fumble around midfield, but the Lions went backward 4 yards on their second drive and punted on a three-and-out.

Joey Dooley came out for the third drive, but aside from some hard running by Tahj Edwards, the Lions weren’t able to sustain much of an offensive drive and punted.

The Bluejays found some offensive rhythm late in the first quarter, and a big tunnel screen pass brought them to the LHS red zone. Lawrence’s defense stayed strong, forcing Junction City into a fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line, but a pass to the back of the end zone to senior Jamarcus Tyson gave the Bluejays their first score.

Curry returned to the field for Lawrence and completed his first pass to tight end Sam Bart for 8 yards. Edwards ran for the first down, but the drive stalled after that.

The Lions pinned the Bluejays deep in their own territory and forced a three-and-out. After starting the drive around midfield, the Lions, led by Edwards, rushed downfield. Colton Curry threw his second completion, a 21-yard pass on a rollout to Ethan Curry, bringing the Lions into the red zone. There, Ethan Curry took it the rest of the way for a 6-yard touchdown.

Junction City had one final drive before halftime but ran out of time around the Lawrence 30-yard line.

Lawrence’s defense held up its end of the bargain in the game, despite the Bluejays consistently getting good starting field position. Thoren said the Lions simply executed and played with discipline.

“From a schematic perspective, it was about as simple as we could make it for them,” Thoren said. “They executed what they’re supposed to do, and they executed by playing hard. They had their backs against the wall and they had no quit in them.”

The Bluejays came out of halftime with the ball but didn’t get far. Senior lineman Devin Foster tackled Junction City senior quarterback Conrad Gomez at the line of scrimmage, forcing the Bluejays to punt on their first drive of the half.

Colton Curry started Lawrence’s drive with a 3-yard scramble and earned an extra 15 yards on a targeting call on Junction City. The Lions faced a fourth-and-1 deep at their 39-yard line and came up short on a fourth-down attempt, giving the Bluejays great field position. The Lions held strong on defense, and the Bluejays missed their own fourth-down play, leading to a turnover on downs.

Both teams punted once again with 8 minutes left in regulation. Junction City drove into Lawrence’s red zone, but the Lions stopped them at the 14-yard line. The Bluejays attempted a field goal, which was wide left and no good.

The Lions didn’t get anywhere on their drive and punted, and Junction City marched downfield, eventually scoring with a pass to junior receiver Brody Boeckman.

Facing a 7-point deficit, the Lions needed to drive down a score. On the first play of their drive, Colton Curry scrambled around evading pressure and tried to dump the ball off but threw it right to a Junction City defender. The Bluejays would’ve had a pick-6, but a holding call on Junction City after the interception put them at the Lawrence 24-yard line with a minute left. The Bluejays ran the clock down to 9.4 seconds but turned the ball over on downs.

Lawrence ran a couple of plays but didn’t go far before time ran out, giving the Bluejays a 14-7 win and dropping the Lions to 0-2 on the season.

Lawrence will be back on the road next week for a Thursday-night game against Olathe Northwest at 7 p.m. at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

“We’re being tested right now,” Thoren said. “We just have to pass the test. I hate losing games, but I love watching kids play football with great effort. And that’s this team. That’s what we have to continue.”

Box score

LHS 0 7 0 0

JC 0 7 0 7

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Colton Curry throws the ball against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Anthony Luna is pictured during the game against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawerence High senior Josh Galbreath is jubilant during the game against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawerence High coach Jason Thoren observes his team play against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Joseph Lucas and the defense celebrate after recovering a Junction City fumble on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High huddles up during a timeout against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Caleb Wingerd defends on a punt against Junction City on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Lawrence.