Da'Von Morrison scored four touchdowns as Derby beat previously unbeaten Maize 35-10 on Friday, Sept. 25, in an AVCTL-I showdown at Maize High School.

The Panthers moved to 4-0 and took control of the Class 6A West standings, first reported by the Derby Informer. The loss was the Eagles' first of the season, dropping them to 3-1.

Morrison wasn't even supposed to play running back. He hadn't taken a single rep at the position all week, head coach Brandon Clark said after the game. But when starter Arieus Finley exited with an injury late in the first half, Morrison stepped in and never slowed down.

Finley opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run on Derby's first drive. He added the two-point conversion after a Maize offside penalty, giving the Panthers an 8-0 lead. A big catch by Michael Castillo later put Derby in the red zone, and Finley carried the ball to the 3-yard line before leaving with the injury.

Morrison capped that drive with a rushing touchdown to make it 15-0 late in the first quarter. After Maize cut the deficit to 15-3 on a 27-yard field goal by Zane Brungart, Morrison answered with a kickoff return for a touchdown to send Derby into halftime up 21-3.

"That kick return felt amazing," Morrison said. "Teams have not been kicking me the ball all year long. They finally kicked me, and I took it back for a touchdown."

Rain began falling at halftime. Morrison scored his third touchdown on a 5-yard run in the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-3. After Amarion Houton recovered a forced fumble, Morrison punched in a 1-yard run for his fourth score, making it 35-3.

Derby's defense set the tone early. Sophomore cornerback Orlandis Rogers intercepted Maize quarterback Colt Curry on the Eagles' opening possession, giving the Panthers the ball at midfield. The defense held Maize without a touchdown until the fourth quarter, when Pearce George scored on a 1-yard run.

Senior linebacker Mason Moaliitele left with an injury during that fourth-quarter drive and did not return. No updates on his status or Finley's were available after the game.

Clark praised his offensive line for winning the physical battle against Maize's defense and said the team still has room to grow. The Maize offense had scored more than 30 points in each of its previous two games, according to KSN's pregame preview, but Derby's secondary stayed disciplined against Curry's ability to extend plays.

Maize won the 2025 matchup 42-21 under head coach Gary Guzman, now in his 16th season leading the Eagles.

Derby travels to Maize South on Friday, Oct. 2. Maize hosts Hutchinson.