Derby's football team will host Goddard at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in a matchup that hasn't happened in nine years.
The game at Panther Stadium marks the first meeting between the Panthers and Lions since 2017, the Derby Informer reported. A Derby High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. before kickoff.
The Panthers enter riding a 55-6 homecoming rout of Valley Center on Oct. 9. Derby's offense totaled 458 yards that night, with senior quarterback Blade Clark throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for a score, according to the Derby Informer's game recap. Running back Da'Von Morrison added 148 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Michael Castillo caught two scoring passes.
The defense was just as stifling.
Derby held Valley Center to 112 total yards and forced two turnovers. Braylon Reed returned an interception for a touchdown after Jerry Southern deflected a pass into the air, pushing the lead to 41-6. Head coach Brandon Clark said linebacker Landon Reed played well in a hybrid defensive line role, adding depth up front.
"Everyone did a great job of knowing what they were doing and executing their assignments … I feel everyone is getting comfortable in the spots they're going to stick with the rest of the season, and we have a good connection," Blade Clark told the Derby Informer after the Valley Center win.
Goddard brings a dangerous backfield to Panther Stadium. Senior running back Erik Olivas produced more than 2,200 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns last season, according to the Wichita Eagle. Senior quarterback Brock Sullivan accounted for 22 touchdowns in 2025, throwing 14 and rushing for eight. Both are third-year starters.
The Lions opened the 2026 season with a 36-12 win over Campus on Sept. 3, a game in which Olivas scored five touchdowns, KSN reported. Goddard finished 6-4 last season and returned only three offensive and two defensive starters, according to the Wichita Eagle.
Derby reached the Class 6A state semifinals last season with an 8-4 record. The Panthers returned seven offensive starters this fall, including Blade Clark, all-state running back Arieus Finley, honorable-mention all-state lineman Weston Jackson and receivers Morrison and Castillo.
The Oct. 16 game is Derby's final home contest of the regular season, with one game remaining after the Goddard matchup before the postseason begins.
