The football team has been dominant in the coach Brandon Clark era. 

The Panthers won their first Class 6A title in 2013 and it was the start of something special. They won in 2015, ‘16, ‘18, and ‘20 – playing in the 6A title games in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Most of the Panthers’ postseason games have been at home, only five have been on the road since 2013. 

The Panthers look to have their toughest road to a ring in more than a decade. 

The Panthers are a heavy favorite over Friday’s opponent,  Topeka, who they beat 69-12 in 2022. The second opponent would likely be against visiting Lawrence. 

“We are going to have to fight in earlier (postseason)  games than other years, which if we do get past them will help us be more prepared for the next game and onward,” junior John Lujan said.

The third round, the quarterfinals likely would be a trip to Manhattan, which has beaten Derby three times in the last 14 months. 

The Panthers haven’t played on the road in the quarterfinals since 2020 where they beat Lawrence 40-20. 

If they advance to the quarterfinals, the Panthers would travel to play top-seeded and unbeaten Washburn Rural. 

All this before the state game where they would most likely play Gardner-Edgerton. So they would have to take down two one-seeds, a two-seed, and a six-seed.