Derby Panthers in a League of their Own So Far in '24

Week 7 is the week when teams usually start to shift gears into overdrive as surviving district rivalries and playoff positioning becomes the order of the day.   The best-coached teams have fine-tuned execution on both sides of the ball and underclassmen have had a half-dozen games to get battle-tested and accelerate their growth.   Granted, that's more of an idealized path. A clean, linear regular-season path that seamlessly merges into the on-ramp for the playoffs. That doesn't usually happen, unfortunately, as injuries, mistakes in execution, lousy Karma, questionable coaching, unpredictable weather...you get the picture, the journey is rarely a cake walk.   Usually, that is...   So far this fall, where we have seen defending champions stumble, rising powers miss opportunities and others jug things up just when they were right on the cusp of greatness, we have a small group of teams that continue to weather the storm.   Teams like 6A #1-ranked and unbeaten Derby.   Sure, Manhattan looks formidable. Gardner-Edgerton is the returning 6A champ and looking as strong as usual. And, even as star-heavy as Derby is this year, it is doubtful they will be able to match the drawing power of unbeaten Blue Valley W and QB Tate Nagy 5'10, 165, QB/DB, '25, a Kansas-commit, who routinely plays in front of the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, even Coach Andy Reed was in attendance this past week as the Chiefs show solidarity to Offensive Coordinator, Matt Nagy's talented son.   But, I digress as usual...   The Panthers are seven games deep into the 2024 season and so far it has been just this side of a casual cakewalk. How much of a cakewalk, you say? Try this for size - 371 points scored on offense to only 37 points during a seven-game win streak. That works out to an absurd average weekly score of 53-5. I think that qualifies as serious beat-down territory.   If nothing else, it illustrates the domination that has accompanied Derby on their stellar run, and shines a spotlight on the usual suspects getting most of the attention. There are a lot of studs on the Panther squad, deep in all the classes and in all the key positions.   It's almost paradox territory - like when the dreaded unstoppable force meets an immovable object, but I will spare you the Sunday-morning hyperbole.   So, without further adieu, lets take a deep dive into the guys behind the scenes for apex-level Derby so far in 2024:   At the top of a long list of Panther standout's is the top-ranked player in the class of 2025, Tennessee-bound [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'], 6'6, 230, ATH, '25, the 6'6 hybrid-wide receiver and punt-return man extraordinaire, who has been carving up defenses through the air, on the ground, off kicks - whatever his team has needed, he has delivered. He and dual-threat playmaker, QB [player_tooltip player_id='354613' first='Drew' last='Kemp'], 6'1, 195, '25 have formed a laser focus and are currently one of the most electric QB-WR connections in the state.   But the D1-talent doesn't stop there. Just to name a few, [player_tooltip player_id='1380100' first='Martel' last='Jackson'], 6'2, 180, DB/CB, the team's lockdown corner and suffocating blanket for the opposing team's speedster WR's; [player_tooltip player_id='1226637' first='Maxwell' last='Robinson'], 6'4, 285, OL '26, the junior man-mountain who blows up any defender storming the gate off the blindside; and '26, [player_tooltip player_id='1213990' first='Milan' last='Colvin'], 6'2, 295, DL '25, who has developed into the Panther's rock of Gibraltar in the defensive trenches, etc, etc., among many others by season end I am sure, that have been receiving extensive interest from the top schools in the country.   And, when those stars, coupled with strong-willed teammates and inspiring coaching mesh the results can be borderline spellbinding.   Case in point: in game three against Wichita South, a game the Panthers would go on to win 59-7...started in ho-hum fashion as Derby proceeded to return two kickoffs for touchdowns, forced a safety, and returned a punt for a TD to lead 23-0 before their offense even took a snap.   And, as is always the case, when you have a team that is off to a start like Derby is, there are a bunch of "unsung-heroes" behind the scenes who are not getting D1 attention. They are not getting mentioned very often in the local write up's and in high-school football coverage in general. The little bit of attention the team garners largely falls on the well-known stars, but the team's success would not even be remotely close to what it is today without these guys living and dying in Panther-trench-warfare each week.   Another example was when all-state multi-positional player and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='716597' first='Easton' last='Splane'], 6'1, 195, DB '25, was banged up recently on an opening kickoff and had to leave the game. It was "next man up" just like you coach it, as Issac Nicholas, 5'10, 180, DB/FS, '26, came in and played the whole game at safety. With the Panthers steamrolling the competition he is getting opportunities to plays and is making the most of it. He is an athletic ball-buster who flows fast and is a hitter descending out of the secondary to make plays at the line of scrimmage.   Fortunately, Splane was back the next game converting setbacks into comebacks as he helped bust open the game when he came up with a spectacular interception against ranked Maize South. It was win-win all the way around as it also presented an opportunity that Isaac translated into solid experience that will come in handy in the post season.   Moving down to the next level, one of the Panthers' strengths has been their LB core, led by headhunter [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback'], OLB/Edge, 6'1, 215 '25, a spark-plug on defense, he is Mr Reliable, always in the right spot and can always be counted on to provide the big effort. Whether it is mercilessly chopping down double teams, or slamming the gate shut on the perimeter and forcing the ball carrier back to the middle, his teamwork and drive has been an important factor in the defense coming together like it has.   Lining up a stone's throw away is the dynamic [player_tooltip player_id='1115732' first='Kikoa' last='Indalecio'], 5'7, 175, LB, '25, who is a jackhammer of a backer who instantly reads the offensive scheme and flows lightening-fast to the ball. He also recently recovered a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown to help fuel another Panther victory.   And, last but certainly not least, the member of the hit squad who is starting to generate some buzz has been senior, Dylan Karel, 5'10, 165, OLB '25, who has an exceptional football IQ and plays with fine-tuned instincts. He has been disciplined in the off-season getting prepared for his senior year and it is all coming to fruition as he continues to ball out every Friday.   Shifting gears to offense, beyond the all-world connection of Kemp-to-Brame, the Panthers have a number of other playmaker options that are going scorched-earth on the competition so far this season. Dalen Bledsoe, 6'0, 175, WR '25, and Rowan Foster, 6'1, 175, WR, '26, are a couple of receivers who may not be able to snag much of the spot light but they have both proven to be the kind of a solid, consistent force the team needs to be elite. Foster in particular has been an excellent option, converting seven catches through six games for 117 yards and an electrifying 29-yards per catch, which included a pair of touchdowns.   I recently mentioned the entire Panther offensive line for their consistently powerful presence in providing the backbone for the offense. In particular of late, stepping up all season after suffering a disappointing shortened year last fall due to injury, has been [player_tooltip player_id='1228933' first='Peyton' last='Goble'], 6'1, 255, G/OL, who used that crushing blow as an off-season motivator and came back bigger, stronger, faster and more determined than ever to put his thumb print on Panther football.   At RB we have more of the same as Arieus Finley Jr., 5'6, 150, RB/Return Man,'27 is the top-ranked back in the class of '27 and has been leading the sophomore pack in rushing yards, averaging 10+ yards per carry so far this fall. But in the same backfield, the Panthers have more lightening-in-a-bottle in sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1354313' first='Davon' last='Morrison'], 5'8, 150, RB/Return Man, '27, who is averaging 12+ yards per carry on 350 total yards rushing and on returns through six games. He has quick feet and swivel hips and when he hits the perimeter he looks like he was shot out of a cannon.   In conclusion, it is not often you get a chance to see a team as loaded and as well coached as these guys are. Get your popcorn out, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy some of the best of the best before the weather flips. And, as always, if you know of anyone or any teams who are "flying under the radar", feel free to give me a shout out via DM on X.   .

Week 7 is the week when teams usually start to shift gears into overdrive as surviving district rivalries and playoff positioning becomes the order of the day.