Derby advances to 6A title game for third straight year

Kaitlyn Sanders

 

The headline should look familiar.

The Panthers beat the Northwest Grizzlies 53-41 with help from junior Jacob Ormsby’s interception return for a touchdown with four minutes left in the Class 6A semifinals to advance to the championship game at Emporia State on Nov. 25.

Just 16 seconds after a touchdown from junior quarterback Hunter Igo, Ormsby ran more than 30 yards after catching the interception, which was headed right for him.

“We found a way again,” said Derby coach Brandon Clark, whose team has won three of the past four 6A titles.

Trailing by eight after a last-second touchdown to end the first half, the Panthers (11-1) started the second half out strong. They had a six minute possession that included recovering an onside kick, which lead to one of two touchdowns.

The Grizzlies (10-2) had a strategy of avoiding senior running back Brody Kooser on kick returns, but they weren’t so successful early in the third quarter when Kooser returned a punt 51 yards for his only touchdown.

The fourth quarter was the time for touchdowns for the Panthers.

They scored three touchdowns within four minutes and took the lead for good.

Igo was seen limping throughout the game due to a toe injury, and sophomore quarterback Grant Adler was suited out on the sideline.

Clark said Igo was injured all week during practice with turf toe.

“He’s got so much pain, but man, he battled through,” Clark said.

Battling through meant three rushing touchdowns and three touchdown passes, not to mention playing at safety when they needed him, even late in the game.

Igo has more than 1,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

Other touchdowns from the Panthers included senior Jack Taylor’s eight-yard score, sophomore Aaron Larson’s 12-yard score, and senior Tyler Brown’s 33-yard score.

Derby won the 2015 and 2016 6A titles against Blue Valley. But the Panthers will play Blue Valley North (8-4), which beat Blue Valley in double overtime.