Junior Jackson Syring is constantly on the field, tackling quarterbacks, intercepting the football, kicking field goals and extra points.

Syring is a player and a person to be reckoned with, but teammates say it brings out the mood they need.

“It’s fun. He’s definitely very emotional. It’s exciting — he brings a lot to the table, very energetic,” junior Cade Lindsey said. “He has some character to him, but it brings it out in all of us, and he’s definitely one of our emotional leaders. When he brings his character, it gets it all out in all of us, so it really makes us play as a team.”

Syring was the backup kicker his sophomore year, but moved to starter this season when former starter Blayten Tullis left the team before his senior year.

“I was just next up. I was always ready … when he went and didn’t want to play anymore, they just said you’re the kicker now, so I just had to work on that harder,” Syring said.

The first couple of games of the season, Syring struggled with extra points after Derby touchdowns.

“The first couple games, I hadn’t done this for very long, but if I would have focused, I would have made a lot more,” Syring said.

In the loss at Goddard on Sept. 8, Syring suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter.

“They made me go to the doctor,” he said. “First time I went to the doctor they didn’t clear me, and then the second time I went, I finally got cleared. Then I had to go through a four-day process where I had to walk and then run and then go into pads and then I could fully practice again.

“But it was about a two-week process.”

Since Week 2, Syring has found ways to stay healthy.

“I sleep a lot. I just have to take care of my body, ice baths and stuff like that … when you get further into the season, your body gets used to it,” Syring said.

In the Nov. 10 quarterfinal win in overtime at Lawrence Free State (9-2), Syring attempted a 47-yard field goal to win the game with 2.7 seconds left. His attempt came up short.

“It was crazy. Everybody was just hoping I’d make it,” Syring said. “The whole team just kind of bonded together over that, and they kind of just said yeah, you could make it.”

Lindsey said that moment was stressful.

“Super emotional cause the game was on the line and when you’re hypercompetitive, like most of us are, it’s kind of nerve-wracking. But we all had faith in him,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey experienced his first overtime, stopping Free State on its four downs — but the Panthers were ready for it.

“We preach just being relaxed and being able to thrive in those situations, and that’s what coach (Brandon) Clark builds the foundation on,” Lindsey said. “Even though we haven’t experienced overtime that’s what we’re built for.”

As the season nears an end, some players look back to realize the impact it’s had on them.

“I kind of like matured,” Lindsey said. “It’s way more fun, actually playing this year. I just like building relationships with everybody and playing with my friends that I’ve known since third, fourth grade, so that’s the best part about it.”

Multiple aspects to the team led some players to believe those will put them on top tonight.

“Probably expect a good game,” Lindsey said. “But I think that we have the tools on the team and we have the best coaching staff in the state. We have the best chemistry in the state, the best fans in the state, so I think that’s why we’ll be able to prevail.”

Some players are itching to get their hands on the Panthers’ third straight 6A state title.

“I’m looking forward to going to state again and getting a third ring in a row for the town and our team,” Syring said.