photo by: Matt Tait

The Lawrence High football team lines up to run at practice on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at LHS.

Senior leadership and experienced returners will be an important part of the fall sports season at Lawrence High in 2022.

Several programs get back key pieces that helped their teams make deep runs or fight to memorable finishes in 2021, and many of those athletes, along with several underclassmen and newcomers, are eager to use that experience and motivation for strong showings this fall.

Here’s a rundown of how things look at LHS entering the start of competition.

Football

Second-year head coach Clint Bowen and the Lions are eyeing another deep playoff this season. Last year, the former Kansas assistant led LHS to its first state semifinal appearance since 2005.

Navigating injuries early on last year, LHS hit a mid-season snag with back-to-back losses to Mill Valley and Shawnee Mission Northwest before winning six consecutive games to land a seat in the state semifinals against Derby.

“I thought it was a testament to their work ethic throughout the year,” Bowen said of last year’s finish. “They just continued to get better and better throughout the entire season. That allows making that run in the playoffs. And that carried over with enthusiasm and excitement into the winter program.”

Losing several key pieces off of last year’s team, the 2022 Lions will be leaning on senior receiver targets Cole Watson and Sam Sedo. The defense also returns veteran leaders in linebacker Kenton Simmons and defensive end Lance Bassett.

An early obstacle last season was when running back Josh King suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, which shifted a majority of the touches to Brayden Heck. King and Heck, now seniors, will both be back this year. Their experience, along with good size and experience up front on both the offensive and defensive line, should have the Lions in position to be one of the top teams in the Sunflower League yet again.

“A lot of kids can go out and they can line up and they can do their job,” Bowen said. “They can look like they belong. But to get kids to truly fight to win each and every snap that they play, that’s a battle in high school, to get them to understand.”

LHS kicks off its season on Sept. 1 against Olathe South at 7 p.m. at home.

Volleyball

Entering her 16th year heading the LHS volleyball program, coach Stephanie Scarbrough hopes to take the next step with her team this season. The Lions finished last season at 13-15 with a loss to Olathe North at regionals.

Returning talent Dana Nichols, Bailey Babbitt and Maddy Crawford will be asked to step up immediately to replace a lot of the production that was lost to graduation.

“You only get better if you put in the work,” Scarbrough said. “(Nichols, Babbitt, and Crawford) all get that commitment and will encourage the others in a way that will maximize our progress each day.”

Scarbrough is up to the challenge of setting expectations for the younger players on her team, with the help of upperclassmen leadership. She’s counting what little returning depth she has to play an important role.

“You go at it one day at a time,” Scarbrough said. “The goal is to be better on that last day than you were on the first day and peak at the right time.”

The LHS season begins against Blue Valley Northwest at home on Aug. 30.

Boys soccer

Carrying over valuable experience from last year’s 6-10 team, the Lawrence High boys soccer team is setting itself up for success this fall behind a mix of returning talent and promising newcomers.

Third-year LHS coach Brandon Daley welcomes back all-Sunflower League products in senior Cale Scott and junior Colin Sandefur. The pair combined for 25 goals last season and carried the varsity scoring.

Eyeing a competitive season in the Sunflower League, Daley says his team has been all business throughout the offseason.

“I’m extremely proud of the work and commitment the boys showed coming out to summer training, friendlies, tournaments, and playing in local leagues,” Daley said. “(That showed) continued commitment to development and helping players grow and improve.”

The departure of a handful of seniors from last season opened up several spots on the LHS roster this season, according to Daley, who has enjoyed watching a few promising newcomers strike at the chance to earn varsity minutes.

Colin Sandefur’s younger brother, Patrick, a freshman, joins the Lions’ roster after leading his Olathe club team to a U14 national championship in Orlando.

“We have a great opportunity for many players to step up and fill leadership roles,” Daley said. “The team is young and extremely coachable with a high level of motivation and work rate.”

The LHS opener against Shawnee Heights is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at home.

Cross Country

After serving as an assistant for six seasons, Kyle Morgison will lead the Lawrence High cross country team this fall after the program sent three runners to state last season.

The LHS girls team has placed fifth or higher at regionals the past three years and is aiming for another postseason run behind seniors Natalie Kennedy and Lucy Hardy. Emma Roman Nose and Cyrenity Hardy-Billy are expected to round out the varsity frontrunners, as well.

“Our girls’ team is in prime contention to make a run for a state appearance,” Morgison said. “All of the girls have been working hard this summer and putting in an extra amount of mileage to ready themselves for October.”

Continued growth throughout the summer has motivated the LHS boys, despite the loss of senior Jack Ryan, who captured a 38th-place finish at state last season. Filling the empty shoes will be twins Francis and Leigham Alexander, alongside incoming freshman Edward Roman Nose.

With both squads, Morgison is working to build strong relationships within a young and eager group.

“We have spent a majority of the summer trying to rebuild a sustainable and positive culture within the program,” Morgison said. “The goals I have for this team are to have fun, be competitive and stay focused.”

The Lions’ first meet is scheduled for Sept. 3 at Warner Memorial Park in Manhattan.

Girls tennis

The Lawrence High girls tennis team continues laying the building blocks this fall after a 2-12-1 finish in varsity duels last season. A bulk of the program’s talent, while young, returns this season after gaining valuable Sunflower League experience.

Head coach Chris Marshall, now in his 13th season, welcomes back one of his most experienced girls’ teams to date this year behind returning senior Abby Marsh and junior Emily Brandt. Sophomores Alexa Nauholz and Channing Saint Onge also pad the varsity squad after taking key steps last season.

“We have a lot of good depth at junior varsity who can, hopefully, push each other, improve and challenge for varsity spots,” Marshall said. “I was very impressed with the girls who showed up to work this summer. I look forward to seeing that work pay off this season.”

Of Marshall’s younger talent, he’ll also have his eye on incoming freshman Fiona Bini, who is expected to aid the Lions’ doubles teams. Bini is one of several Lions who spent time with Marshall over the summer working on the essentials.

“I felt that last year we were competitive, but we just couldn’t get over the hump in some of those matches,” Marshall said. “The good news is the girls were with me through summer camp and private lessons, so, hopefully that’ll put us on a better track at the start of the season.”

LHS begins its fall slate on Thursday at Olathe West.

Gymnastics

Retaining its gymnastics program after budget concerns threatened its survival, Lawrence High will continue offering the program to students this fall.

Joint-LHS and Free State coach Katrina Farrow said the battle to save the team was fueled by students’ and their families’ commitment to sustaining a competitive gymnastics program.

“We cannot thank our families, athletes, classmates and community supporters enough for all that they did to help keep us going,” Farrow said. “We feel validated, rejuvenated, supported and loved by everyone and it is a wonderful feeling.”

The “FireLions” program returns LHS seasoned contributors, senior Sophia Zogry and junior Ivori Jones. The team also welcomes newly hired assistant Jerynn Lindbloom, a local gymnastics coach carrying more than 10 years of experience.

Farrow says the offseason left the program battle-tested and motivated to prove the program’s worth this fall on the floor.

“We are stacked as a staff and had great training all summer with our athletes, so we’re ready to go,” Farrow said. “After the rollercoaster of almost having our entire sports program cut, we are grateful to have a program at all.”

The FireLions open the season with a home meet on Sept. 10 at Rock Chalk Park.

Girls golf

The Lawrence High girls golf team is setting lofty goals for regionals this season after sending just one senior, Rylie Hayden, to state last year.

Sixth-year coach John Moos returns seniors Emme Dye, Peyton Fowler and Sadie Heinbach to lead the varsity squad. Moos also expects sophomore Providence Fowler to compete for a fifth or sixth spot in the varsity lineup.

“We will be heavily relying on our seniors this year,” Moos said. “Our goal is to be playing our best golf by regionals this year at Eagle Bend.”

LHS tees off for the first time this season on Wednesday at the Olathe South Invite at Sycamore Ridge.