Derby hosts Lawrence Free State on Friday, Nov. 6, at Panther Stadium in a KSHSAA Class 6A regional-round playoff game, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

The Panthers (9-0) are the top seed in the 6A West bracket. They advanced with a 64-0 first-round win over Wichita North on Oct. 30, a game in which Derby's offensive starters sat out nearly three quarters after building a 42-0 lead early in the second quarter, according to the Derby Informer.

The two teams haven't met since 2021.

Five starters were out, young players filled in

Derby played the Wichita North game without five defensive starters due to injury. Head coach Brandon Clark told the Derby Informer he was impressed with the younger players who stepped in, saying they "held their own" and "did a good job."

The Panthers recorded 332 yards of offense while holding Wichita North to 41 total yards, the Derby Informer reported. The Lawrence Journal-World reports Derby gained about 330 yards of offense.

Derby's defense leads 6A

Derby's defense ranks first in Class 6A, allowing 10.7 points per game while forcing 15 turnovers, according to the Journal-World. The Panthers have also recorded 16 sacks and 53 tackles for loss.

Senior Davon Morrison has become the team's leading rusher after spending time at wide receiver earlier in his career. Morrison has rushed for 1,224 yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per carry, the Journal-World reported. Morrison has run a reported 4.3-second 40-yard dash.

Morrison stepped into the lead role after South Dakota commit Arieus Finley Jr. played in only two games due to injuries, according to the Journal-World. Quarterback Blade Clark, son of coach Brandon Clark, has rushed for 500 yards and passed for 1,178.

Free State brings size and a ground game

The No. 8-seeded Firebirds (3-5 entering the playoffs) opened postseason play with a 27-7 win over Dodge City. Three of Free State's losses came against three of the top four seeds in the 6A East bracket: No. 1 Mill Valley, No. 2 Gardner-Edgerton and No. 3 Lawrence, the Derby Informer reported.

Free State head coach Kevin Stewart told the Journal-World his defense performed well against Dodge City.

"I think our defense is better than the points have indicated," Stewart said.

The Firebirds lean on their ground game. Sophomore wide receiver Packson McDaniel has moved to quarterback after two Free State quarterbacks went down with injuries, according to the Derby Informer. Alijah Beckum and Maddon Brittingham give Free State a two-back punch. Free State rushed for 250 yards against Dodge City, the Journal-World reported.

Clark described Free State as "really physical with good size" and compared the Firebirds' run-heavy approach to "a single-wing team," according to the Derby Informer.

What's ahead

Derby has won every game by at least 21 points, according to the Journal-World. The Panthers ended last season with an 8-4 record after a 38-7 sub-state loss to Manhattan, Catch It Kansas reported.

The winner Friday advances in the 6A West bracket.