Football Game Preview: Lathrop Mules vs. Lawson Cardinals

The Lathrop Mules will head out to square off against the Lawson Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The teams are rolling into the game with opposing streaks: Lathrop has struggled recently with four defeats in a row, while Lawson will arrive with three straight victories.

Lathrop lost 39-14 to West Platte on Friday.

Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Lawson faced off against North Platte on Friday. The Cardinals walked away with a 35-22 win over the Panthers. The score was all tied up 14-14 at the break, but the Cardinals were the (much) better team in the second half.

Lathrop better keep an eye on Grayson Smith. He was instrumental in Lawson's win, rushing for 185 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.8 yards per carry. Smith is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 103 every time he's taken the field this season. Lawson also got help from Brogan Crawford, who showed off his sure hands for 83 receiving yards.

Lawson was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 276 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 184 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.

Lathrop's loss dropped their record down to 4-4. As for Lawson, their record now sits at 6-2.

Lathrop was dealt a bruising 49-0 defeat at the hands of Lawson in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Can the Mules avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.