Game Preview: Football vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest

The Lancer football team look to bounce back after a disappointing 28-0 blowout loss last Friday to Lawrence Free State. Friday night at 7 p.m. at SM North the Lancers will take on SM Northwest (1-5), whose lone win came against Olathe North (1-5).

The Lancer’s will need to contain the Cougar’s offensive attack of quarterback Lucas Karlin and running back Kelby Quint. Quint is tied for 11th in the Sunflower League with 468 rushing yards and eighth in touchdowns with four. Karlin is seventh in passing yards with 519 yards but only two touchdowns. The Lancers will be without their most experienced safety, senior David Sosna, who is out for the season with an injury to his ACL and MCL.

For the Cougar’s defense to be successful, they will need stop the Lancer’s quarterback Jordan Darling. Darling was completely shut down by the Firebirds defense, throwing for only 75 yards with a 32 percent pass completion and three interceptions. With Sosna out, Darling will need to find senior Connor Rellihan on even more passes than last year. Special teams also had issues, having a botched punt snap recovered for a touchdown.

At 4-1, the Lancers need a win here to get back on the right track before play Shawnee Mission West next week.