Week 5 Clash: Top-Ranked Derby Rolls Into Hutchinson

The first week of October rolls in with beautiful fall-football weather and brings with it a number of interesting match-up's across the Sunflower state. I will be posting my five "Games of the Week" tomorrow, but before getting into that I wanted to shine a spotlight on what looks to be an intriguing contest between two teams starting to peak at the right time.   When #1 Derby rolls into Hutchinson Friday get ready for a good old fashion fist fight of a game between competitors who have been going toe-to-toe for decades in the Ark Valley. On paper it might appear to be somewhat one-sided as the top-ranked Derby juggernaut looks stacked and strong in their first four games.   But, throw records and previews off the observation deck when these too old rivals go at it.   Hutch kicked off the 2024 season on a somber note, getting throttled by top-ranked 4A Andover Central 37-7. Ouch.   Nonetheless, the Salt Hawks regrouped and proceeded to run the table on their next three opponents, shutting out all three. The shutout streak started in game two when they stonewalled Valley Center 13-0. Next up they bludgeoned Maize 21-0, before gut-punching Wichita South 47-0.   Derby, on the other hand, started the season shot out of a bazooka, outscoring their opponents in the first four games 235-21. That works out to an average game score of 59-5. Let that sink in for a minute.   The offensive onslaught in particular has been overwhelming, as they started the season spanking a strong Hays team 40-7 on the road. They then proceeded to blow out Campus 77-0, Wichita South 59-7, and then 59-7 again in week four against Maize.   Against South, the Panthers not only flexed their formidable muscle, but put the rest of the state on notice, as they returned 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.   Both teams had common opponents in Maize and Wichita South, with both Derby and Hutch blowing them out so that angle doesn't help shed much light on a possible outcome.   In this report we will do a deep dive on these two teams and point out who has starred so far this fall, but also who some of the unsung hero's are that have been flying under the radar so far in 2024. Both teams have outstanding talent, with Derby able to line up multiple D1 prospects on both sides of the ball on virtually every snap.   So, enough chatter on the preliminaries, let's jump right into the highly-anticipated Hutchinson vs Derby Friday Night preview:   Derby   As mentioned above, on the offensive side of the ball, Derby has been a steamroller through four games. The offense is loaded with talent that you probably won't find at the top of the statistical leaderboards, but it isn't due to not performing. Derby has plowed through their opponents so overwhelmingly that the coaching staff can't help but pull the starters, which restricts their stars from piling up a big stat line.   But, the championship program that they are, winning is more important than individual accolades.   Going through the offense - even at a high level - there are so many ballers on this Panther team, it's difficult to get them all shoe-horned into the report at the same time. But, here goes:   At the quarterback position they are loaded, with [player_tooltip player_id='354613' first='Drew' last='Kemp']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drew-kemp/"></a> and [player_tooltip player_id='352451' first='Aiden' last='Heckathorn']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aiden-heckathorn/"></a> . Both are seniors and both are very good; Kemp has stepped up as the starter and has been razor sharp. Although only playing seven quarters to date this year, he has completed 29 of 35 passes for 432 yards, 12 TD's and 0 interceptions. He has also added 195 yards rushing and a pair of TD's on the ground. His completion percentage of 82% and QB rating of 157 are among the best in the state. <a href="https://x.com/Drewkemp_7"></a>   When he goes to the air he has the top-ranked player in the 2025 class in Tennessee-commit [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'], a 6'6 WR/TE, who incredibly also serves as an ace punt return man. Also available when airing it out is another 6'6 receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='1311009' first='EJ' last='Eitutis'], as well as returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1228444' first='Daylen' last='Bledsoe'], who is a playmaker in his own right.   They also feature the top-ranked running back in the 2027 class in [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.'], who is averaging just under a hundred yards a game rushing, at 11+ yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns. He is lightening in a bottle and is a threat to take it to the house on every play.   Making it all happen, as with most championship teams, is standout play in the trenches. Derby is no different in that regard with a solid group that features D1-candidates as well as up-and-coming underclassmen stepping up. [player_tooltip player_id='1226637' first='Maxwell' last='Robinson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/maxwell-robinson/"></a> , is an OL-beast who has started since he was a freshman and is a dominant force in pass pro and caving down defenders in the run game. He is also being heavily recruited by most of the top D1 schools. Also stepping up as a force to be reckoned with is [player_tooltip player_id='1228933' first='Peyton' last='Goble'], who started last year before being injured and has pummeled opposing defenses in 2024.   Also deserving mention along the front are Kaeden Saviano, 5'11, 240, C/G, '25; Jackson Gage, 5'11, 230, OT, '26; [player_tooltip player_id='1475567' first='Kaelin' last='Scarth'], 6'3, 265, OT, '27; and [player_tooltip player_id='1588356' first='Weston' last='Jackson'], 6'1, 230, OL, '27, who have all stepped up to form the backbone of the Derby offense.   On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers have been a stingy bunch so far in 2024, allowing on average five points per game. As with the offense, they are loaded at all levels on defense.   Up front Derby can hammer the game between the tackles with  [player_tooltip player_id='1213990' first='Milan' last='Colvin']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/milan-colvin/"></a> , a 6'2 295 dominating brawler in the trenches who has recently received an offer from D1-Utah State. When the opposition can't run up the middle on Colvin and tries to hit the perimeter they run into rock-solid [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback'], who shuts down the perimeter and blows up double teams, freeing up his teammates to make plays.   At the linebacker level the Panthers are very strong, led by  [player_tooltip player_id='1186650' first='Gavin' last='Pfannenstiel'], who is a headhunter who shifts into attack mode every play. In the secondary they are loaded as well, with shut-down CB [player_tooltip player_id='1380100' first='Martel' last='Jackson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/martel-jackson/"></a> , who is getting significant D1 interest; and [player_tooltip player_id='716597' first='Easton' last='Splane'], a returning starter and multi-positional ballhawk at safety.   The scary thing for opponents is there are at least a half-dozen additional rising stars on this team who probably deserve to be mentioned, but we weren't able to tag everyone unfortunately. The time is coming, just not today.     Hutchinson   As mentioned above, Hutch is riding the wave of a three-straight shut-out defensive performance and have been scoring more points on offense every game. And, although the defense has been superlative over the last month, in their victory last week against Wichita South, 47-0, the offense took center stage.   Star running back [player_tooltip player_id='1552973' first='Kade' last='Smith'], 5'10, 195, '25, delivered an exceptional performance, blistering the South defense for 323 yards on 20 carries for three TD's, which was one of the top game performances in the state in week four. For the season he leaped into the top five in the state with 844 yards on 109 carries and seven touchdowns, with one of them being a 76-yard touchdown.   Needless to say, Derby will be paying a significant amount of attention to Smith this Friday night.   But, the Salt Hawks are no one-trick pony - not by a long shot. If the Panthers choose to game plan around shutting down Smith, Hutch can shift gears to RB, [player_tooltip player_id='716095' first='Terrell' last='King'] , who carried the ball eight times last week for 82 yards, for an impressive 10-yard-per-carry average.   On defense, the three-straight shutouts is a big deal in Hutch circles, as it is the first time it has happened since 1946 - 78 years ago for those fumbling around trying to pull out their trusty abacus. This past week they were particularly brutal in the pass game, with three different players logging interceptions.   King added to his impressive offensive showing with an interception, and was joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1516005' first='Tramel' last='Walker'] , 5'10, 165, DB, '26 who picked one off as well, and [player_tooltip player_id='716076' first='Carter' last='Morgan'] who upstaged them both with a dazzling 94-yard pick-six touchdown.   In conclusion, these teams are too good not to go see them live. Take the short trip to Hutch this Friday and you will not be disappointed. Additionally, the usual reminder that if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar so far this season, feel free to contact CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

The first week of October rolls in with beautiful fall-football weather and brings with it a number of interesting match-up's across the Sunflower state. I will be posting my five "Games of the Week" tomorrow, but before getting into that I wanted to shine a spotlight on what looks to be an intriguing contest between two teams starting to peak at the right time.