By Blake Chadwick
Maize at Derby football on Friday night was expected to be a game for the ages.
Both teams came at 7-0 and were dominating teams offensively and defensively. And on the line was postseason seedings and the AVCTL I title.
But it was Derby that rolled to a 55-7 win.
Right out the gate came the Panthers, rocking their brand-new Nike jerseys. The importance of those jerseys was likely missed by everyone but the players.
They were all black. The first all-black jerseys in Derby history. Even better? They were unveiled on their senior night.
“We came out and spooked (Maize),” said senior defensive back Terry Ginyard when asked about the wardrobe change the Panthers pulled.
Derby warmed up in the green tops and black bottoms, when they returned to the locker room, the new jerseys were laid out for each of them to change into before kickoff.
After a turnover on downs for the Panthers and a quick stop, the Panthers took over for their second possession pinned down on their one-yard line with Maize’s defense staring them in the face.
Two plays and a 99-yard touchdown run later for junior quarterback Lem Wash, the Panthers led 7-0.
An interception by defensive back Terry Ginyard on the ensuing possession officially started the Panther party. The Panthers accounted for 405 offensive yards in the first half and the defense held Maize to just 14.
Derby was led by senior receiver Cavion Walker, who accounted for four first-half touchdowns, senior running back Tre Washington, who ran for 196 yards, and the whole Derby starting defense that held Maize to zero points.
“Home-field advantage all the way through baby,” said Ginyard in regards to what this win solidified for the Panthers going into the playoffs.
The Panthers clinched the No. 1 seed in 6A for the third time in the last four years.
****
Northwest continued its undefeated season by taking care of Southeast on senior night 55-0. The Grizzlies end the regular season at a point differential of 421-41.
Andale completed its undefeated regular season, as well, by beating Cheney 29-22. The Andale’s Class of 2020 seniors have never lost at home.
McPherson took care of Circle 49-0 to stay undefeated.
Maize South finishes the season 8-0 and second in their region for the playoffs after a 56-13 win over Wichita North.
Garden Plain moves to 8-0 after beating Conway Springs and is district champs again.
Sedgwick finished the season undefeated and completed the nine-peat as district champs.
Andover Central finished at 7-1 after a 21-13 win over Arkansas City.
Belle Plaine bounced back from its first loss on Oct. 18 to beat Douglass and finish 7-1.
Bishop Carroll finished at 6-2 with their only losses coming to Derby and Northwest, two of the state’s favorites to win the Class 6A and 5A championships.
Buhler beat Winfield 26-10 to move to 6-2.
Clearwater also beat Collegiate to finish strong at 6-2.
Kapaun Mount Carmel beat Heights 42-40 in three overtimes.
Campus got its first win with a 38-21 victory over Hutchinson.
Hesston beat Clay Center 28-27 in double overtime to improve to 7-1.
