photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence quarterback Banks Bowen scrambles for a touchdown against Dodge City High School on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

Derby — The Lawrence High Chesty Lions may have scored the first touchdown of the night during the 6A regional playoffs Friday in Derby, but the Panthers soon took over, moving on to the sectional round and ending Lawrence’s season, 48-6.

The Lions (7-3) scored first on a 42-yard strike from junior quarterback Banks Bowen to junior wide receiver Gabe Wingerd. Junior kicker Andrei Lefort missed the extra point. On the next possession, the Lions defense forced a fumble but went three-and-out.

After that, Derby opened up the run game with senior running back Derek Hubbard having back-to-back 25-plus yard runs. Senior quarterback Braxton Clark then got in on a 19-yard touchdown run to put Derby up 7-6.

Derby forced a Lawrence punt and went on a long drive that ended in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Clark to junior tight end Da’Saahn Brame to put Derby up 14-6. After a batted pass from Bowen was picked off, Derby scored again right before the half with Clark finding Brame from 4 yards out, sending Derby to the locker room with a 20-6 lead.

Starting with the ball in the second half, the Panthers went right down the field and scored on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Clark to junior wide receiver John Lujan to make it 27-6.

The Derby defense continued to suffocate the Lions as they got the ball back to the offense. On a trick play, backup quarterback Krystian Dorsey found Colton Ruedy for a 45-yard touchdown, making it 34-6 Derby late in the third quarter.

Derby forced another three-and-out and a good punt return from freshman running back Arieus Finley put Derby at the Lawrence 7-yard line. One play later, Hubbard ran it in for a touchdown.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Derby tacked on one additional score. Finley had a 1-yard touchdown run, to make it 48-6, which would end up being the final score.

Lawrence finished 7-3 on the season. Derby improved to 9-1 and will get a Week 1 rematch with Manhattan on the road next week. Derby lost that game 33-19 and has rattled off nine straight wins since then.

After the game Lawrence head coach Clint Bowen said he was proud of his seniors and the way they guided the team throughout the season.

“Our seniors led a gritty team, and with their leadership, we were able to win seven games because of their steady influence.” Bowen said. “We weren’t the most talented team but we found a way to win seven with their leadership.”

Game stats

Derby 48, Lawrence 6

LHS | DHS

First downs 10 | 17

Rushes-yards 24-70 | 43-249

Passing yards 128 | 278

Total offense 198 | 527

Fumbles-lost 1 | 1

Interceptions 2 | 1

Penalties-yards 3-45 | 9-87

Score by quarters

Lawrence 6 0 0 0 – 6

Derby 7 13 21 7 – 48

How they scored

1st Quarter:

4:51 – 42-yard touchdown pass from Banks Bowen to Gabe Wingerd. Lefort kick no good. (LHS 6, DHS 0)

1:11 – 19-yard touchdown run by Braxton Clark. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 7, LHS 6)

2nd Quarter:

3:03 – 20-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Clark to Da’saahn Brame. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 14, LHS 6)

0:28 – 4-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Clark to Da’saahn Brame. Jesseph kick blocked. (DHS 20, LHS 6)

3rd Quarter:

9:24 – 19-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Clark to John Lujan. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 27, LHS 6)

4:46 – 45-yard touchdown pass from Krystian Dorsey to Colton Ruedy. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 34, LHS 6)

3:32 – 7-yard touchdown run from Derek Hubbard. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 41, LHS 6)

4th Quarter:

6:40 – 1 yard touchdown run from Arieus Finley. Jesseph kick good. (DHS 48, LHS 6)

Individual statistics

Passing:

LHS: Bowen: 9-23, 128

DHS: Clark: 15-18, 233, Dorsey 1-1, 45

Rushing:

LHS: Bowen 8-22, Jacobsen 15-48, Roberts 1-0

DHS: Hubbard 13-101, Finley 8-51, Clark 11-46, Dorsey 4-38, Morrison 2-2, Blade Clark 2 -5, Ruedy 2-3, Brame 1-13

Receiving:

LHS: Wingerd 3-63, Becker 3-35, Mosiman 3-30

DHS: Brame 6-109, Ruedy 6-123, Bledsoe 1-15, Lujan 2-26, Hubbard 1-5.