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

Lawrence High junior Alex Bart (left) and sophomore Joey Dooley celebrate in the end zone during the City Showdown football game on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Lawrence High School in Lawrence.

Despite finishing the season with just one win last year, the Lawrence football team was in just about every game.

The Lions had to learn some tough but valuable lessons. Even with a lack of success in the record, the team continued to show up, get better and work hard, which culminated in a rivalry win over Free State in the regular season finale, the lone win for the Lions in 2025.

Lawrence and its coach Jason Thoren believe that was an important step in the team’s growth, and it’s one that will help the Lions find much more success in 2026.

“They’ve learned how to be resilient,” Thoren said. “At the same time, we need to have success, too. They need to feel that a little bit because that’s a whole different animal. To learn how to show up and work everyday when things aren’t going well, that’s a good lesson. The next lesson is how you have to work when you are having success.”

Defense will be a key area for the Lions this season. Lawrence struggled in run defense a year ago, especially in the early parts of the season. The Lions had to get creative and move players around the defensive line to stop the run, and while the run defense improved during the season, it still remained a sore spot.

Stopping the run will be the top priority for the defense again in 2026. The Lions will face a lot of run-heavy teams this season, such as Gardner Edgerton and Free State. Most of the linemen the Lions will rely on played a lot a season ago but have developed their skill set and added size and strength to become more stout.

“That’s a good front four with different combinations,” Thoren said. “There’s a little depth to stay fresh through whole games.”

Alex Bart, a senior who came on strong at the end of the year along the defensive line, is excited for what the team can accomplish this season. He’s personally grown in his development and size, which will help him at defensive end, and he has a lot of teammates in a similar position with experience and development.

“We have people on the inside who belong on the inside and people on the edge who belong on the edge,” Bart said. “That experience we got as younger guys helped get us to where we are today. Now that we’re seniors, we’re showing that experience.”

The run defense will see an improvement from the development of the linemen, but it’ll also improve with the development of Lawrence’s safeties. Seniors Caleb Wingerd and Ethan Curry are a hard-hitting duo who pride themselves on their run fits.

“That is our biggest attribute — we’re physical,” Wingerd said. “That’s just how you have to be in football. You have to be tough… Especially with a lot of those Wing-T (offensive) teams. As a defensive back, you can’t just be a coverage guy. You have to come down in the run game.”

Thoren has a lot of faith in this team’s secondary, with a mix of athletic and cover cornerbacks and rangy safeties. The group has experience and athleticism to challenge opposing offenses, and the group has a close relationship with each other.

“We have amazing chemistry with each other,” Curry said. “We’ve known each other for a while, we hang out off the field, and we’re always talking football. I’m excited for this year.”

The trenches on offense have impressed Thoren this summer, and that starts with senior center Hudsen Myers. He’s one of a few returning starters on the offensive line, and the group has shown good push and has some athletic players.

The Lions lost their two biggest playmakers last year in running back Tahj Edwards and wide receiver Jaxon Becker, but Thoren and the team believe in the offensive weapons that are on the team. Curry, a slot receiver and running back, will finish his final year at Lawrence as the team’s biggest chess piece, while Wingerd, senior Adrick Webb and junior Truth Pope have taken another step in their development heading into the season.

Leading the offense is junior quarterback Joey Dooley, who took over the starting quarterback job last year after initially splitting reps. While Dooley’s poise was a strength of his during his first varsity season, he’s feeling even more comfortable this year.

Dooley’s teammates have noticed his development in practice, too. They see a quarterback who can make the throws he needs and has the mobility to escape pressure. Wingerd said Dooley is good at knowing where to go with the football, which showcases his developed understanding of the position and the offense.

“Me and coach Thoren spent a lot of time in the film room,” Dooley said. “He’s a great coach, and having him in my back pocket, same with coach (Taylor) Stuart, has helped me a lot. The game is a lot slower, and you can definitely see it.”

Lawrence will have a big test early on, taking on a Gardner Edgerton team that won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024, but it’s a challenge the team is ready for. Thoren said he’s had as much fun coaching this team as he has any previous team, thanks to the Lions’ consistent energy and excitement to compete. Players on the team believe that will be a strength for Lawrence as the Lions fight for more success this fall.

“We’re very confident, ready to show people we’ve improved,” Wingerd said. “We’re excited to experience those team wins. It’s been an exciting summer.”