Game Replay: Lancer Football falls to Shawnee Mission Northwest in 36-6 loss

Despite ending the first game of their season with a loss of 36-6 and two injured players in their Sept. 19 game against Shawnee Mission Northwest, Lancer’s varsity football seniors are looking forward to their season — even with the absence of roaring crowds.

Though the atmosphere of the game was undeniably different from seasons past, senior Price Terrill, East’s starting quarterback, said the team was able to keep their motivation, as well as their focus on the field.

“It was pretty weird not to have a student section for sure, but I think everybody was really excited just to play our first game,” Terrill said. “Don’t get me wrong, a big environment definitely changes the game, but I feel like it’s more about what happens on the field.”

After a missed field goal opportunity and multiple defensive stops, East found themselves overcome by SMNW in the first quarter. The Lancers let in multiple touchdowns, leaving the score 14-0 headed into the second quarter.

“We played really well in the beginning and had a long drive to start off the game, but then after that, we kind of fell apart,” senior Carson Holmes, the team’s guard and defensive tackle said. “We just couldn’t get any more yards, we couldn’t get the ball off. We only had a couple of big drives, but other than that we just did not play well.”

Right before halftime, senior Lee Marshall — the team’s other defensive tackle — hurt his shoulder and had to stop playing, leading the Lancers to pull him out with sophomore Tony Brooks coming in as a substitute.

In the third quarter, senior and wide receiver Preston Reynolds caught the Lancers’ first and only touchdown — thrown by Terril — bringing the score to 14-6. Shortly after, senior Michael Eberhart, the defensive end, had to leave the game due to a head and back injury, and SMNW scored another touchdown.

By fourth quarter, East was unable to hold off SMNW and the game ended with a final score of 36-6.

Despite the loss, senior Jacob Johnson, East’s wide receiver, is looking forward to his last high school season. Johnson wishes that he could have had his classmates there to support the team during the seniors’ last season, but will continue to appreciate his final games.

“It’s always nice, you know, the occasional times you look up there and hear ‘em screaming for you, that they have your back and they’re cheering on your team,” Johnson said. “But I’m just glad that we get to be back on the field and have a senior year of football.”