6A Championship Preview

Prep Redzone Staff

November 24, 2021 @ 10:12 PM

Some things are like clockwork. Derby is back in the state championship game for the seventh year in a row. They are winners of five of the last six 6A titles. The Panthers enter the title game 11-0, fresh off a 62-28 pounding of Lawrence in the semifinal. Blue Valley Northwest will give it a go, hoping to unseat the champion. The Huskies’ lone loss this year came to Aquinas. Here are some players to watch Saturday: [player_tooltip player_id="87649" first="Dylan" last="Edwards"], 5-foot-9, 165-pound running back, 2023, Derby: There’s not much more that needs to be said about the nearly untouchable back. He carried 27 times for 302 yards and four scores last Friday. Just another night’s work for the number one player in the 2023 class. [player_tooltip player_id="128113" first="Mercer" last="Thatcher"], 6-foot-4, 189-pound quarterback, 2022, Derby: Derby doesn’t throw the ball much. It doesn’t need to. But Thatcher’s numbers are solid – a 57% completion percentage, and 12 touchdowns to just one interception. He came up big with 140 yards and a touchdown through the air against Lawrence. He also has wheels. He averages over seven yards a carry, and went for 82 yards and three touchdowns against the Lions. [player_tooltip player_id="35547" first="Alex" last="Key"], 6-foot-3, 290-pound lineman, 2022, Derby: One of many Panthers receiving college attention, Key is a big part of the reason why Derby is so unstoppable. The Panthers have been held to fewer than 42 points just once this year. [player_tooltip player_id="35569" first="Mikey" last="Pauley"], 6-foot-5, 200-pound quarterback, 2022, Blue Valley Northwest: There might not be a more well-rounded athlete in the state, and there are a lot to pick from. The Nebraska baseball commit is an elite basketball prospect too. But he’s got one more chance to go out on top on the gridiron. He is a dual threat, passing for over 1,700 yards and rushing for over 1,000. [player_tooltip player_id="122492" first="Grant" last="Stubblefield"], 6-foot-1, 185-pound running back, 2023, Blue Valley Northwest: Stubblefield can run around or through a defender, and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield too. The junior has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 23 scores, and has also caught 20 passes this year. [player_tooltip player_id="35639" first="Max" last="Muehlberger"], 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end, 2022, Blue Valley Northwest: High school tight ends don’t always make a lot of headlines. But Muehlberger is not going unnoticed. He’s long and can really run. Colleges have certainly noticed his combination of skills. He has 24 catches for 364 yards.