photo by: Emma Pravecek, Journal-World photo

Lawrence High tailback Tyrell Reed takes a handoff from LHS QB Tyson Grammer during the Lions' win over Olathe East on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

The Lawrence High football team heads to Gardner-Edgerton Friday night in hopes of a fifth consecutive win on the season.

After easily handling Shawnee Mission North, 44-14 on the road last week, the Lions (4-1) are matched with a Trailblazers program that’s seeking to end a two-game losing skid after beginning the year 3-0.

Gardner-Edgerton fell to Olathe North 13-2 on the road last week.

The Lions are in for another physical test this week, according to LHS coach Clint Bowen.

“(Gardner-Edgerton)’s size is their greatest strength,” Bowen said. “They play hard, they play physical and they’re kind of a hit you in the mouth type club.”

The LHS defense held an option-dependent SM North offense to just 159 total yards last week and will face a similar challenge this week against the Trailblazers and their highly-effective triple option attack.

Bowen feels his group’s strength and conditioning routine has prepared them for these types of challenges.

“I think this year, we’re doing a much better job on continuing our weight program,” Bowen said. “We’re lifting ’em a lot harder during the season than we did a year ago. I think that’s helping with our injuries and our stamina. We emphasized conditioning a lot more early in camp. ​​We’re not as deep as we were a year ago, so anticipating kids having to play a few more plays we needed to have the conditioning up and I think the kids embraced it.”

Lawrence High has not lost since falling in the final minutes of their Week 1 matchup with Olathe South. Each week, LHS has taken a step forward and made their coach believe that more is possible.

With three weeks remaining in the regular season — including next week’s city showdown against Free State — the Lions continue to search for ways to make fundamentally sound football and playing with urgency a part of their Friday night routine.

Kickoff for Friday’s matchup is slated for 7 p.m. in Gardner.