Fifty-seven seconds left.

Blue Valley North took a seven-point lead over the Panthers in the 6A title game.

The Panthers had one last possession with the opportunity to tie the score and go into overtime.

Thirty-six seconds left.

Interception.

The Blue Valley North Mustangs won their first state football title by beating Derby, the two-time defending 6A champ, 49-42.

Seniors cried, teammates consoled each other, coaches handed out hugs.

“You proved everyone wrong… Don’t hang your heads,” Derby coach Brandon Clark said to his players after the game.

All four quarters were a back-and-forth battle until the last minute when Derby’s final chance to answer was taken away.

Rubbing salt in the wound, junior quarterback Hunter Igo left the game with 5:20 to go after suffering a leg injury.

Igo had one rushing touchdown, 171 yards, 201 passing yards and lunged for a two-point conversion.

“Hunter is a warrior. I’ll take a million Hunters,” Clark said.

The team suffered a loss, but there were aspects that could be considered good.

Sophomore Grant Adler and senior Michael Littleton both stepped on the field after weeks of sitting out.

Adler converted a fake punt that led to the last touchdown for the Panthers. He also stepped in before and after Igo’s injury.

Littleton caught multiple passes, with 55 receiving yards, including a near-touchdown at the end of the third quarter.

Mustangs junior quarterback Graham Mertz was a constant threat. While the Panthers worked to contain the standout passer, the Wisconsin commit scored the final touchdown on a run.

Derby senior Brody Kooser had four rushing touchdowns with 141 yards. Senior Brady Walls was also prominent on the field again this week with multiple catches, 61 receiving yards and a touchdown.

“They (underclassmen) wanted those seniors to go out on top,” Clark said.