For the first time since 2004, the Lions football team finished the regular season undefeated and entered the district playoffs ranked first on the east side of the bracket.

The Lions went from a commanding win against Shawnee Mission North on Nov. 6 in regionals to a crushing defeat at the hands of Blue Valley High School on Friday night.

Fans and players went to Twitter Friday night to mourn the end of the post season.

“Lawrence High has blessed me and my teammates with something that can’t be broken, and that’s brotherhood,” varsity running back JD Woods said on Twitter. “It was a great ride and I will always remember this team and everyone, friends, family, coaches, I thank everyone for all you have done.”

On Nov. 6, the team hosted its first home playoff game since 2012 when it played host to the 3-6 Shawnee Mission North Indians.

North quarterback Will Schneider, statistically the best quarterback in the Sunflower League, thrashed the Lion defense on 323 passing yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 120 yards and a touchdown.
But the Lions capitalized on SM North’s missed opportunities and turned it into a 56-32 win.

“North played us really tough, their QB is outstanding,” Coach Dirk Wedd said during the week after the game. “I personally think we played a little tight. We definitely could have all played better, and I should have coached better. That won’t be a problem next week.”

SM North actually had 19 more yards than the Lions with 579, but the Lions defense came up big when the team needed it the most.

“I actually thought we did really good,” senior cornerback Ivan Hollins said. “The front seven really contained him (Schneider). He completed a few key passes but other than that he didn’t really throw all over the first team D.”

North ended up running for 256 yards. These yards were a result of the defense focusing mostly all of their attention to the North passing game.

“One thing I would say is we were too focused on the passing game. They ran the ball really well,” Hollins said. “We ended up allowing way more yards than we would have liked, too.”

The offensive game plan, which got the Lions to the 10-0 mark, was a relentless ground game.
Senior running back JD Woods, once again, thrashed SM North’s defense, this time running for 186 yards on 18 carries and four touchdowns. Senior quarterback Alan Clothier also added 93 yards and a touchdown.

A week later, the magical season came to a close. The offense never got going, and the defense couldn’t get a stop as Blue Valley cruised to a 42-17 win.

The Lions rush defense, which had been a strong suit all season, gave up 230 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns to Blue Valley running back Will Evans.

The Lions were lead by senior quarterback Alan Clothier as he ran for 155 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.

Junior Jacob Unruh said that while the loss ended a special season, it wouldn’t take away the bonds players formed this year.

“Our season was something special,” he said. “It was something that won’t be forgotten at this school.

We brought an undefeated season and a Sunflower League Championship into the school. Did we want a state championship? Yes, but the season was amazing.”
Next year could be just as exciting, Unruh said.

“Our plan for next year is to lead off where we were after this last game,” he said. “We have very talented players coming up to play with us. I already have so much trust in all of them, and I know we will bring back an amazing season.”