Throughout the years, many athletes’ names tend to stick around the halls DHS far after they graduate.

Greats such as quarterback Brady Rust, swimmer Megan Keil, forward Bryant Mocaby, javelin thrower Trenton Allen, speed-skater Tanner Worley —  names carry their own weight and leave their own legacy.

Who will it be this school year?

Maybe junior Jacob Karsak, a multisport athlete, who currently is one of the top wide receivers. 

“Whenever I score I’m super excited and energetic because I was able to help my team,” Karsak wrote in a text.

Karsak has 17 catches for 256 yards. But he doesn’t credit himself for the wide receivers’ success.

“All of us (wide receivers) are really good,” Karsak wrote in a text. “There is usually one thing we all have that is different from each other that makes us good.”

The chemistry is strong on and off the field.

“I love this game because it helps you with life situations and shows you how to be tough. But most of all … I love the brotherhood that we have,” junior Cavion Walker said. “It means a lot to have good chemistry on a team and we definitely have that.”

As the undefeated Panthers are heading into the second game of the playoffs on Friday when they play host to Dodge City (6-3), Walker said he has improved.

“The start of the season I was playing slower than I am now. I’ve learned the game plans better every week which helps speed up the game for me… Practice also helps a lot during the season to get you ready to go,” Walker said.

There wasn’t much of a transition needed when junior quarterback Grant Adler suffered his season-ending injury in September. His replacement, Hunter Igo, was a Panthers quarterback in 2017.

“They can both deliver a good ball and they both know how to get the job done. Both of them are really good players who have contributed a lot to our team,” Walker said.