Program Pre-Season Review: Derby Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most teams coming off a state-runner-up finish slide into some semblance of rebuild mode the following year as standout seniors graduate. For <em>Derby</em>, it is more of a quick <em>"reload"</em> than an anxious <em>"rebuild"</em>, as they return a strong mix of talented seniors, underclassmen and newcomers who will continue to make them one of the most dangerous teams in the state this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, after falling to <em>Gardner-Edgerton</em> by three points in the <em>6A State Championship</em>, 22-19, last November, these guys are laser focused on capturing the crown in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year ago the <em>Panthers</em> got off to an uncharacteristically poor start, losing the opening game of the season to a tough <em>Manhattan</em> team 33-19. They quickly rebounded the next week, pounding <em>Wichita South</em> 56-0, and then reeled off six straight wins coming into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting strong in the post-season, the <em>Panthers </em>blasted <em>Topeka</em> and <em>Lawrence</em> by a combined score of 104-13 in the first two games. They followed up with a revenge win against <em>Manhattan</em> 23-21, and then won a rock fight with <em>Washburn Rural</em> 29-28 to earn the right to go for the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-point loss in the finals was a tough one to absorb. The <em>Panthers</em> led at halftime 13-7, but <em>Gardner</em> responded with 15 points in the third quarter and held off <em>Derby </em>in the fourth to claim a hard-fought championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong nucleus of standout players return from that playoff run and the pain of the championship loss has resonated deeply with them all off-season. The team has rallied since then, coming together as a group to set the tone for the season and shape last year's setback into a powerful comeback for the ages in the fall of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Afterall, state championships and <em>Derby</em> are almost synonymous, as they have been to the state championship game a remarkable <em>nine of the past 11 years, with six state titles in those 11 years.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will take an in-depth look at one of the best football programs in the state and project how the 2024 season is shaping up. So, without further adieu, I bring you the <em>Derby Panthers</em>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Recap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League</strong> – AVCTL DIV 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 record</strong>: 11-2 (lost first regular-season game to <em>Manhattan</em> 33-19 &amp; last game 22-19 to <em>Gardner-Edgerton</em> for the state title) <br><strong>Playoff record</strong>: 5-1 (out-scored opposition 178-61 in playoffs; lost in state championship by three, 22-19)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scoring Averages</strong>: <em>Offense</em> - <strong>39.5</strong> points per game; <em>Defense</em> - <strong>15.6</strong> against per game; <em>differential <strong>+23.9</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Brandon Clark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assistants</strong>: Todd Benway, Todd Olmstead, Chris Pinaire, Taylor Zeka, Chris Devore, Austin Wuthrich, Eric Hendrick, Mitch Pontious, Justin Fagan, Zach Haynes, Derek Goble, Brent Cunningham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Outlook</strong> - coaches emphasizing playing assignment-sound football in all three phases. The team has gelled in the off-season and have really come together per many of the guys I talked to. Whether it is in the weight room or hitting the field they seem to genuinely enjoy playing with each other and are collectively focused on the state-championship journey. Although the offense will start somewhat young, they have known D1-talent and once they put the pieces together this is going to be a high-octane unit. On defense they should be a powerful group, returning seven starters and numerous others who saw varsity action last season. They have all-state level players at all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strengths:</strong> returning overall talent level - numerous D1 players on the roster; defensive unit returns seven starters and could be scary-good at all three levels; offensive firepower with a pair of 6'6 receivers, two top-notch QB's and a couple of talented running backs; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Concerns</strong>: inexperience on offense, particularly on the offensive line; how quickly the offense will mesh under a new QB or a <em>pair</em> of new QB's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense - Returning Starters/Key Players:</strong> <br><strong>OL</strong> – <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1226637' first=<strong>'Maxwell' last='Robinson']</strong>, </em>6'4 285, Jr, has started since a freshman and is a dominant force in the trenches; highly recruited by most of the top D1 schools; <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1228933' first=<strong>'Peyton' last='Goble'</strong>] Jr</em>. 6'0 265. Started a few games before injured last year; will be one of the top offensive lineman for the Panthers this fall.<br><strong>TE</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='<strong>DaSaahn' last='Brame'</strong>], </em>6'6 235, Sr, Ranked #1 in Kansas and was heavily recruited as one of the top TE's in the nation; committed to <em>Tennessee</em> for the fall of '25; <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1311009' first='<strong>EJ' last='Eitutis']</strong></em>, 6'6, 225, is another big target for the high-flying <em>Panther </em>passing attack.<br><strong>QB</strong> – <em>[player_tooltip player_id='354613' first='<strong>Drew' last='Kemp</strong>'] </em>and <em>[player_tooltip player_id='352451' first='<strong>Aiden' last='Heckathorn'</strong>]</em>. Both Seniors and both very good; Kemp threw for 2,000+ yards a year ago playing for Maize, while Heckathorn has hit it hard in the off-season and is now a rock-solid 6'2, 215; Derby has the luxury of two proven QB's.<br><strong>WR</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1228444' first=<strong>'Daylen' last='Bledsoe'</strong>]</em> - Sr. 5'11 170. Started last year and has worked hard in the off-season; he is poised and ready for a breakout year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first=<strong><em>'Arieus' last='Finley Jr.</em></strong>'] Soph 5'8 170. Significant playing time as a freshman; he is the highest ranked running back in the 2027 class<br><strong>WR/RB</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1333014' first='<strong>John' last='Lujan'</strong>] </em>- Sr. 5'10 190. A multi-positional standout who will play H-back, WR and RB for the offense this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense - Returning Starters/Key Players:</strong> <br><strong>DE</strong> – <em>[player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='<strong>Dalton' last='Hornback'</strong>]</em> 6'1 210 JR. - Started last year and is getting ready for a dominating season<br><strong>Nose </strong>- <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1401788' first='<strong>Houston' last='Boline</strong>']</em> 6'1 280 JR. - Starter last year and will be counted on to plug the middle at NG<br><strong>DE</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1213990' first='<strong>Milan' last='Colvin</strong>']</em> 6'1 285 Sr. - another powerful presence in the middle ready for an outstanding season<br><strong>LB</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1115732' first='<strong>Kikoa' last='Indalecio</strong>']</em> - 5'9 200 Sr. - Started last year and will be counted on to be an active force around the ball <br><strong>LB</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1186650' first='<strong>Gavin' last='Pfannenstiel']</strong></em>- 5'11 205 Sr. - Started last year and is one of the top linebackers in the Wichita area<br><strong>LB</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1306198' first='<strong>Elijah' last='Dixon'</strong>] </em>- 6'0 210 Sr. worked hard in the off-season and is ready to lower the boom this fall.<br><strong>Safety</strong> -<em> [player_tooltip player_id='716597' first='<strong>Easton' last='Splane'</strong>]</em> 6'0 185 Sr. - Another top-notch multi-positional starter who is ready to roll this fall<br><strong>Safety</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1224001' first='<strong>James' last='Middlebrook</strong>']</em> 5'10 188 Sr. - Started last year and is getting ready to come into his own in 2024.<br><strong>CB</strong> - <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1380100' first='<strong>Martel' last='Jackson'</strong>] </em>6'1 175 Sr. - Started last year and is getting significant D1 attention; he is a fast and athletic ballhawk ready to shine in '24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Schedule</strong>: the <em>Panthers</em> open with a loaded <em>Hays</em> squad on the road and then play a couple of games they should cruise through. They will then roll into the thick of district play with key games against <em>Hutchinson </em>and <em>Maize South</em> before closing out the regular season with an always tough <em>Bishop Carroll</em> team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/6</strong> @ <em>Hays</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/13 </strong>vs <em>Campus</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/20</strong> @ <em>Wichita South</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/27</strong> vs <em>Maize</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/4 </strong>@ <em>Hutchinson</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/11</strong> vs. <em>Valley Center</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/18</strong> vs. <em>Maize South</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/25</strong> <em>Bishop Carroll</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see a championship program in action this fall as they start the title run. Many of these guys will be playing on Saturdays in the very near future, don't miss your opportunity! And, as always, if you know of anyone or any teams flying under the radar feel free to reach out to <strong><em>CoolDaddyO</em></strong> via <em>DM</em> on <em>X</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->