Hutchinson at Derby Friday night was the battle between two of the most dominant teams in Class 6A during the past two decades. 

The Panthers and Salthawks have been a part of a state championship game in 16 out of the last 17 years. 

It was a game that didn’t disappoint… for the Panthers, anyway. Derby cruised 56-7 thanks to quarterback Lem Wash and running back Tre Washington. 

Wash, the offensive juggernaut, focused his game at his natural position of quarterback as he got his first career start after starter Grant Adler was ruled out due to a foot injury. 

“At first I was nervous, but my teammates stayed confident in me, and they told me they knew how talented I was, so they just made it easy for me,” said Wash. 

While Adler suffered a season-ending injury in September 2018, he is expected to return late in the playoffs.

Wash, who threw for one touchdown and ran for four more, wasn’t shy about stepping onto the big stage. 

“I’m not satisfied,” Wash said. 

The Panthers forced two fumbles and had two interceptions. 

One of the two interceptions was by senior cornerback Terry Ginyard, who returned it 55 yards for the touchdown.