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

The Lawrence High School football team held a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

Lawrence High made the mile-trip north on Thursday to host an open scrimmage at the Kansas football practice fields ahead of next week’s season opener.

“We had a nice night,” Lawrence coach Jason Thoren said. “They were flying around. They’ve had a great summer. It goes all the way back to the start of summer and what they’ve put in. I’m excited.”

The Lions practiced with the team’s No. 1 offense playing the No. 2 defense, and vice versa, for most of the open scrimmage. A few personnel changes pitted some usual first-team teammates against each other and raised the excitement and competition of the practice.

“We’re all excited and ready to get it done,” junior receiver and defensive back Truth Pope said. “It was good to get out on a field. Energy was at an all-time high, (we were) keeping each other up and staying positive on the field.”

It certainly helped the energy to scrimmage at KU in front of family and friends, but the team hasn’t needed energy this summer. Thoren has seen his team bring it every day at practice.

“We have 5:40 a.m. practices, and our kids are there and ready to go at 5:40 a.m.,” Thoren said. “That’s impressive. There’s not a bunch of stragglers coming in at 5:43. They’re somehow in good spirits, even at that time. So it’s been good.”

After some individual drills to warmup, the Lions started their scrimmage. The defense found some early success getting turnovers, including an interception on the first-team defense’s opening drive.

“We spend time after school everyday watching film, us four,” Pope said of the secondary. “We’re always trying to better each other. We’ve got a big secondary coming up this year, so I’m excited.”

The next few turnovers were due to offensive mistakes, including two fumbles in the mesh point on a handoff and a low snap that junior quarterback Joey Dooley had to fall on.

Once the scrimmage picked up, the offense found more of a groove, and Dooley threw several touchdowns and scrambled for a few more. Senior running back Ethan Curry broke off a long touchdown run, and backup quarterback Silas Newberry made several good throws as the scrimmage wore on.

The defense still got after the offense though, particularly with the players at the second and third levels. The Lions’ strength is in their secondary, and the group is active in flying to the football and causing havoc.

“Tackling early (in a season) is always kind of iffy,” Thoren said. “But I thought they did good. We’ll have to see (practice film) on that.”

The Lions will have a full week to prepare for a Gardner Edgerton team that is coming off a 9-3 season. Thoren knows the Trailblazers will be a physical team, so getting the team ready for a physical battle to start the season will be a focal point in the coming practices.

“It’s about staying disciplined,” Pope said. “Jumping for the ball on second and third down on defense, making sure we’re not on the ball when the tight end is up (at the line of scrimmage)… just getting the little things and staying disciplined.”

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

Lawrence sophomore Silas Newberry throws a pass during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence coach Jason Thoren breaks the team down after a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence sophomore Tahchuhsee Brewer kicks a field goal during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence junior quarterback Joey Dooley throws on the run during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence junior quarterback Joey Dooley points forward on a long run during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence senior running back Ethan Curry runs through the defense during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence coach Jason Thoren watches the defense during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence junior quarterback Joey Dooley runs with the football during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

The Lawrence defense lines up for a play during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence coach Jason Thoren celebrates during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence junior cornerback Truth Pope defends a receiver during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence junior quarterback Joey Dooley throws a pass in a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

The Lawrence offense and defensive lines line up during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

Lawrence senior Adrick Webb backpedals during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.

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

The Lawrence offense huddles up during a scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at the University of Kansas practice fields.