With zero losses going into round two of playoffs — this season could be the Panther’s year. Derby has not won a state championship since 2020. 

Going to state and winning is no simple task, as seen in the last few years. 

“There is the playoffs, then you have games, but with every game, you are seeded based on how your regular season went,” senior Kikoa Indalecio said. “We were the first seed because we went 8-0, so in the first round of playoffs, we would go against teams that were likely 0-8; further into the playoffs, we will go against harder and harder teams until we make it to state.”  

In the first round, the Panthers faced Campus for the second time this season, winning 62-7 to advance. 

“We were super confident (for the Campus matchup) because we prepare the same way each week no matter what team it is,” senior Easton Splane said. 

Being prepared is important for performing consistently on the field. They need to keep the same energy in the second round. 

“We watch a lot of film, we do a lot of their formations at practice, and we repeat so that way it’s not the first time we’ve seen it,” Splane said. 

Repetition is key to getting results on the path to a state championship. 

“It is the playoffs, so it is literally ‘do-or-die,’ and if you lose, you are done,” Indalecio said. “Going into the game, there is a lot more to lose.” 

Nonetheless, the Panthers are brimming with confidence and ready for state.

“At this point, we don’t see our season ending till the state championship game after we win; I don’t see us losing any time soon,” sophomore Braelyn Williams said.