The Lawrence Lions are still in search of their first victory after falling to the Olathe Northwest Ravens 38-17 at the College Boulevard Activity Center Thursday night. The loss marks the first time since 2018 that Lawrence has opened its season with three consecutive losses.
“There are a lot of things we need to fix,” said first-year head coach Jason Thoren.
The Ravens controlled the clock as tailbacks Bryce Randall and Noah Harrell took turns gashing the Lions’s defense, en route to blowing the game open in the second half.
Keeping it close early, Trevon Creager’s 27-yard field goal split the uprights to even the score at 3-apiece. The Ravens went back in front 10-3 courtesy of Randall’s short touchdown scamper at the midpoint of the second quarter.
The Lions replied with a lengthy scoring drive, capped off by Joey Dooley’s five-yard touchdown strike on a slant route to wideout Jaxon Becker — knotting the contest at 10. The Ravens regained momentum after Randall’s 7-yard touchdown run punctuated a methodical scoring drive — one that was extended after the Lions were whistled for roughing the punter.
Olathe Northwest held a 17-10 advantage at the half.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence wide receiver Jaxon Becker holds onto the ball for a touchdown reception as he takes a hit in the end zone during a football game against Olathe Northwest on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 at College Boulevard Activity Center. The Lions lost 38-17.
With some uncertainty at the quarterback position entering the game, backup signal-caller Colton Curry’s lone pass of the evening resulted in a 38-yard interception return to paydirt by senior defensive back Tyler Manzella. And for the Lions, things quickly unraveled from there.
Thoren said he doesn’t believe the pick-six altered the momentum all the much, adding that his squad kept battling.
“I didn’t see a lull in their play,” he said. “The moral of the story is that when we came back out [in the second half], we couldn’t stop the run.
“It wasn’t about the pick-six; it was about not being able to stop the run.”
After quickly regaining possession, Northwest again marched down field on the strength of its rushing attack. Junior quarterback Brody Comfort’s 1-yard touchdown plunge swelled the Ravens lead to 31-10 with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Olathe Northwest running back Bryce Randall founds open running room against the Lawrence defense on a play that turned into a rushing touchdown in the first half.
Olathe Northwest (2-1) then put the game on ice via Noah Harrell’s 45-yard touchdown romp down the right sideline, upping the Ravens advantage to 38-10. Late in the fourth quarter, Lawrence quarterback Joey Dooley eluded pressure and turned on the afterburners, bolting 35 yards for the touchdown — accounting for the final 21-point margin.
The game-plan, according to Thoren, was centered on stopping Randall. He added that his squad did an adequate job of containing Randall in the first half, but that the defense was unable to hold up in the second half. He said that he plans to emphasize proper “technique” in upcoming practices.
“[Randal]l does a good job of bouncing to the outside,” Thoren said, “and we didn’t do a good job of holding our edges on the perimeter. Hats off to them — they kind of pounded us and leaned on us a little bit.”
Dooley concluded the contest 16-for-27 for 191 yards and a touchdown pass — while also connecting with his favorite target Khyree McGee for 77 yards through the air.
“I thought he did a good job under center,” Thoren said.
Thoren added that the Lions did “a better job of cleaning things up” this week, despite being whistled for several penalties — including the critical roughing penalty that extended a Ravens’ scoring drive.
The Lions host Mill Valley at 7 pm on Sept. 26.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence defensive back Turner Juelsgaard makes a hard hit to dislodge the ball from an Olathe Northwest player during passing play for the Ravens.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence wide receiver Khyree McGee picks up a first down against Olathe Northwest with a reception in the first half.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Lawrence quarterback Joey Dooley runs the ball to pick up a first down on a play during the first half of the Lions’ Week 3 game against Olathe Northwest.
