The Panthers look to build on last season's semifinal run. |
The Panthers defense will have to rebuild after losing several key playmakers.
Coach: Brandon Clark (29-14 entering fifth season as head coach at Derby)
2009 Recap: 8-4 overall, 3-2 in the AVCTL Division I. The Panthers started 2-0 in district play before losing their regular season finale to Wichita Heights. Derby racked up a pair of wins in the regional and quarterfinal rounds before once again falling to Heights, the eventual state runner-up, in the semifinals.
Returning Starters: Offense 8, Defense 1 (Travis Anderson, Sr., OL; Dillon Call, Jr., LB; Tyler Harrison, Sr., QB; Alex Hart, Sr., OL; Ethan Jewell, Sr, WR; Blake Langley, Sr., OL; Gary Schoeppel, Sr., OL; Keenan Sparks, Sr., WR; Austin Williams, Sr., OL)
Returning Lettermen: 26
2010 Outlook:
Offense: The Panthers return a solid core of offensive production to the field this season led by senior quarterback Tyler Harrison. As a junior, Harrison passed for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. Where Derby will look to excel this season is in the ground game. The Panthers return five starters from the offensive line and will look to Evan Oaks to pave the way this year. Oaks rushed for 348 yards on 55 carries in a backup role last year averaging over six yards per carry.
The line will be anchored by veteran Travis Anderson (6-4, 300) who has received interest from Division I programs. Also stepping into a key role this year is senior lineman Bryce Fisher (6-3, 270). The Panthers will look to add depth to their receiving core after losing Devin Hedgepeth to graduation. Keenan Sparks will step into the leading role this season as a senior.
Defense: The Panthers will reload after losing a large group of seniors and most of their production players from a year ago. Returning to lead the charge is one of unit’s top talents from a year ago, junior linebacker Dillon Call. Lining up next to him is senior Terrance Burns, and helping hold down the line this season is fellow senior Logan Duff.
After losing so many seniors, Derby will turn to several new players to come up big this season.
“Hopefully our kids that played JV from last year will be able to step up,” said head coach Brandon Clark. “We hope to be competing for a league title.”
Odds and Ends: With Newton and Campus joining the AVCTL Division I and Goddard moving down, teams are anticipating some new matchups. However, Derby won’t seemuch change. The Panthers have opened the past two seasons with wins over Campus, and Newton didn’t make it on to Derby’s schedule this year.
“We don’t get to see Newton which I wish we would because of the style of football they play will get us ready for our district teams,” said Clark. “Newton has been very fast and very athletic in the past, and I don’t see that changing.”
Derby opens the 2010 season with back-to-back games against league heavyweights Salina Central and Hutchinson.
