photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High defender Ben Marker tackles a Shawnee Mission North wide receiver on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

The Lawrence High football team overcame injuries and a run-heavy Shawnee Mission North offense to pick up a 37-22 win on homecoming night Friday at LHS.

After losing key seniors Will Hendricks (an offensive tackle) and Connor Nowak (a defensive end and tight end) to injuries in the second half, LHS (4-1) persevered to shut down SM-North. Starting quarterback Banks Bowen completed 12 of 21 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

On the ground, LHS had an evenly split game with 190 total rushing yards between tailbacks Malcolm Paul (46), Tahj Edwards (48), Tony Jacobsen (2) and Bowen (94). SM-North finished the game with 291 total rushing yards, with 110 coming from tailback Judah Jones.

After the win, LHS head coach Clint Bowen said his offensive players are continuing to complement each other’s strengths.

“Ideally, we’d like to be in the 50-50 range,” Clint Bowen said about his passing and running attacks. “That’d be our objective – a nice, balanced offense.”

SM-North sophomore quarterback Alex Casares took multiple carries on the game’s opening drive, leading the Bison to an early 7-0 lead with a short-yardage touchdown run.

With 6:53 to go in the first quarter, LHS moved quickly with two first-down receptions by Paul and rode a 14-yard run by Edwards clear to the goal line, prompting an easy walk-in score by Bowen.

A 75-yard run by Jones had SM-North threatening once again late in the first quarter, but LHS stood tall on fourth-and-short when linebacker Josh Galbreath and defensive end Connor Nowak held off a run by Jones for a turnover on downs.

Beginning deep in its own territory, LHS claimed a 13-7 lead on a 17-yard touchdown run by Paul with 9:04 left in the first half.

Jones answered the LHS score with a big return up to the LHS 32-yard line, but SM-North couldn’t capitalize. On a manageable third down, defensive end Devin Foster and safety Noah Richardson sacked Casares for a sizable loss and forced a punt.

It didn’t take the Lions long to score after the stop — Bowen found wideout Gabe Wingerd for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the offense’s first snap back out. SM-North, grinding its way up the field, settled for a 26-yard field goal and headed into halftime trailing LHS 20-10.

Stretching his arm early, Banks Bowen said he’s finding a groove heading into the second half of the regular season.

“Every week I’m just getting more comfortable,” Banks Bowen said. “I’m just trying to get better throwing the ball back there… I’ve been getting beat up a good amount and I’m trying to slide a bit more and stay healthy.”

Both squads opened the second half flat, exchanging punts on their opening drives. LHS picked up steam first with Bowen finding Edwards on the run for a 56-yard touchdown pass to send the Lions ahead 27-10 with 7:07 to go in the third quarter.

Richardson picked off a tipped pass by Casares in LHS territory on the following drive, returning the ball 26 yards and setting up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bowen to wideout Mason Mosiman to take a 34-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

Recalling the play, Richardson said part of this week’s scouting report was accommodating Casares’ quick, unexpected throws.

“I gotta do my homework,” Richardson said. “I watch film every day. I gotta learn on and off the field. Playing on the field, that helps a lot seeing it in person.”

SM-North answered back almost immediately with a 68-yard touchdown run by Jourden White to make the score 34-16 after a failed two-point attempt late in the third quarter.

Forcing a stop, the Bison regained possession and scored again on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Casares to Nathan Doolin, bringing the score to 34-22 after another failed two-point try late in the third quarter.

SM-North ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. After punting away on their first drive, the Bison got a much-needed stop and regained possession with seven minutes left. The LHS defense, wearing down the Bison’s run game, forced Casares to try airing it out on fourth-and-13, but the effort fell flat.

Taking over possession with 4:57 to go, LHS drained the clock on its way to the goal line and called a timeout with just two seconds remaining. The Lions chipped in a last-second field goal to put their stamp on the victory.

GAME STATS:

SM North 7 3 12 0 – 22

Lawrence 6 14 14 3 – 37

SM North | LHS

First downs 12 | 13

Rushing yards 291 | 190

Passing yards 93 | 252

Total offense 384 | 442

Fumbles lost 1 | 0

Interceptions 1 | 0

Penalties-yards 5-30 | 5-40

HOW THEY SCORED:

1Q:

6:53 – SM North touchdown: Casares 1 run. Wiegers kick is good. (SM North 7, LHS 0)

4:18 – LHS touchdown: Bowen 1 run. Lefort kick is no good. (SM North 7, LHS 6)

2Q:

9:04 – LHS touchdown: Paul 17 run. Lefort kick is good. (SM North 7, LHS 13)

7:07 – LHS touchdown: Wingerd 55 pass from Bowen. Lefort kick is good. (SM North 7, LHS 20)

0:11 – SM North field goal: Wiegers 26 kick is good. (SM North 10, LHS 20)

3Q:

7:07 – LHS touchdown: Edwards 56 pass from Bowen. Lefort kick is good. (SM North 10, LHS 27)

5:16 – LHS touchdown: Mosiman 19 pass from Bowen. Lefort kick is good. (SM North 10, LHS 34)

4:20 – SM North touchdown: White 68 run. Two-point try is no good. (SM North 16, LHS 34)

0:14 – SM North touchdown: Doolin 59 pass from Casares. Two-point try is no good. (SM North 22, LHS 34)

4Q:

0:02 – LHS field goal: Lefort 22 kick is good. (SM North 22, LHS 37)

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Rushing: SM North – Jones 10-110, White 3-80, Casares 14-75, Looney 4-22; LHS – Edwards 14-48, Bowen 15-94, Paul 5-46, Jacobsen 1-2.

Passing: SM North – Casares 5-11, 93; LHS – Bowen 12-21, 252.

Receiving: SM North – Doolin 1-59, Moreno 2-24, Looney 2-7; LHS – Edwards 2-78, Paul 4-61, Mosiman 3-35, Wingerd 3-78.

Lawrence High safety Zander Thomas tackles the Shawnee Mission North quarterback on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High wideout Mason Mosiman stiff-arms a Shawnee Mission North defender on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High running back Malcom Paul rushes for a second quarter touchdown against Shawnee Mission North on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High quarterback Banks Bowen runs in a first quarter touchdown against Shawnee Mission North on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High running back Tahj Edwards rushes for a first down against Shawnee Mission North on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.