The Panthers football team ended its night with a devastating loss as Manhattan kicker Braxton Frey hit a 25-yard field goal in OT to win the season opener at Derby 26-23.

Even though Manhattan came into the game an underdog at Derby, which had its 46-game home winning streak snapped, the Indians took the game’s opening drive 80 yards over seven minutes for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Manhattan went up 15-0.

The Panthers responded less than 30 seconds with a 68-yard run from senior running back senior running back Dylan Edwards.

Trailing 15-7 at the half, Edwards had an electrifying  touchdown run less than 4 minutes into the second half. 

With Manhattan leading 15-13, Derby’s defense turned it up a notch. Then, after a blocked punt, Panthers’ kicker Grady Jesseph hit a field goal to give Derby its first lead of the game at 16-15.

Derby built on that later in the third quarter with a touchdown by junior running back Derek Hubbard for the 25-13 lead at the end of the third.

Manhattan came into the fourth quarter with a bang, scoring and then converting its second two-point conversion to tie the score at 23-all.

The Panthers had a chance to win at the end of regulation on a field goal, but it missed.

In overtime, Derby struggled to move the ball and missed a field goal. 

While the Panther defense contained Manhattan, the Indians finished the game with a field goal to get the victory.