By Joanna Chadwick
With two senior quarterbacks vying for a position as the starter for Derby, 7-on-7 competitions were a good way to get them acclimated to their teammates.
Both Drew Kemp and Aiden Heckathorn transferred into Derby.
“We told them to be patient,” coach Brandon Clark said. “We’ve had a lot of time this summer. In the winter, that’s about technique, but in the summer, we can coach Xs and Os.
“They’re both competitors, and they’re both hungry.”
Clark’s son, Braxton, helped lead the Panthers to the Class 6A title game in November. His son, Blade, a sophomore, is waiting in the wings.
7-on-7 reveals a lot about athletes at all the positions.
“You can see who your competitors are, who wants to win,” Clark said. “It gets pretty physical. It’s good to see defense play physical, play with confidence, know what they’re doing and fly around.
“For the offense, you want to see the receivers who will catch the ball through the middle…. Kids will come up and get you. You want to see the quarterback progressions. Are they making their progressions, not just going to their favorite targets all the time?
“And then I want to see who wants to win. I want to see the guys who hate to lose.”
While Easton Splane played quarterback when Braxton Clark got hurt, Splane will stay on defense this year.
“Easton is so valuable on defense,” Brandon Clark said. “I think Blade, my sophomore, is ready. I think he would have been ready if the two seniors didn’t transfer in. But this will give him another year to learn the system.”
Da’Saahn Brame, who is 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, is a favorite target. The wide receiver/tight end initially committed to Oregon but has changed his commitment to Tennessee.
Daylen Bledsoe, a 6-foot senior, will also be dangerous.
“He has done a phenomenal job of making himself better,” Clark said. “He’s bigger and faster, and he went out for track. He got faster. When we went to Bixby, he was one of the better receivers down there.”
Clark is also excited about his defense.
“Our defense is fast,” he said. “They fly around, they’re aggressive, they’re hungry, they love film. (Assistant coach Austin) Wuthrich does a great job on the defensive side getting them ready.
“Everyone likes to talk about our offense, but our defense is salty.”
Clark chooses not to do a jamboree, instead scrimmaging Bishop Carroll.
“The morning before, we game prep — this is their offense, this is their defense, let’s learn how they play,” Clark said. “(Carroll) is such a well-coached program that it’s a good team to scrimmage — there’s no shenanigans, just looking to get better.”
As for camp, Derby had it during the third week of June.
“There’s still excitement in June. We used to do it the last contact week in July, but we feel there’s so much value when they’re excited,” Clark said. “It’s not as hot out, and then we have a couple weeks where you’ll find some holes or areas to improve. Someone to move to a different position. So having it in June helps us out.”
