High School Football Previews: Derby Panthers

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Derby Panthers are one of the most consistently stellar football programs in the state, regardless of classification.

Last season, the Panthers only lost two games en route to a 6A State Championship appearance; however, for the second time in three years, they came just one win short of a trophy.

The goal this season is to finish the job by playoff time.

“It’s very motivating,” senior linebacker Gavin Pfannenstiel said. “We think about it every day. We talk about it every day at lunch like it’s just always on our minds, and we never want to feel that again. So we’re working hard, and we’re going to treat every game like a state championship.”

“From falling short last year just to try to get back to the state championship and actually want to this year just come together collectively as a team and everyone be on the same page and making sure,” tight end Da’Saahn Brame said. “Everyone, there’s no arguing or anything like that. Everyone’s kind of just getting along with each other and realizing we have one goal at the end of the year.”

Derby head coach Brandon Clark always focuses on the work done day in and day out. That’s why he’s been able to stake claim to six state titles in his time with the Panthers.

The program is essentially a machine at this point. They’ve only lost 10 games since 2016, but if they want to keep up that standard, it will take a lot of work between now and November.

“You know, we want to play physical, we want to be mentally in the game,” Clark said. “And that comes with film work, that comes with getting into your playbook, that comes with asking coaches questions, that comes with if you’re ready to become a one and act like you’re one. So somebody goes down, we don’t have a hole that we have to worry about. It takes a full team process, and we have this thing on our football team because we want all our kids to be bought into this program.”

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