Class 6A District 6

District 6

1. Derby Panthers (10-2)

Two teams stopped Derby in 2008, Wichita Heights in their final district game and Junction City at sub-state. Heights didn’t allow Derby a scoring drive over thirty yards and Junction yielded the Panthers just three points.

In every other game, Derby scored points in bunches, breaking forty four times and fifty once. The Panthers scored less than 28 only twice. Coach Brandon Clark took Derby from one win to 10 wins in three seasons.

Derby loses its quarterback, running back and five wideouts from 2008. All-state junior LT Travis Anderson (6-4, 300) returns with impeccable technique and tripled strength since last offseason. Junior QB Tyler Harrison (6-4, 185) gives Derby a new look after the gradution of 5-11 Jake Snodgrass. Senior RB Jameson Moore (6-0, 220) is an absolute hoss, moving from linebacker to replace Aaron Wilson.

Senior LB Ian Whittit (5-8, 180, 14 TFL) enters his fourth season as a starter. With increased speed, senior Meshach Kennedy (5-10, 185, 74 tackles, 12 for a loss) moves from linebacker to safety. Senior DB/WR/SP Devin Hedgepeth (6-1, 185, 67 unassisted tackles) will rarely leave the field, shoring up Derby’s losses at wideout. –TW

2. Wichita Southeast Buffaloes (5-4)

Coach Gary Guzman enters his fifth season at Southeast with eight returning offensive starters in the senior class. Seniors RB/DB Joseph Randle (6-0, 188) and QB/DB Jeremiah Plowden (5-10, 165) are three-year starters. Southeast will sport up to five wideouts with great hands and speed.

Southeast faltered mid-season after a 4-0 start. The Buffs ended a four-game losing streak in the season finale against East, spoiling the Aces’ playoff plans.

Randle’s rushing totals were cut in half from 2007 to 2008, as the offensive line went under reconstruction. A bevy of experienced seniors return to the line in 2009, and Randle will also line up at wideout. –TW

3. Wichita Heights Falcons (9-2)

Heights charged into the 2008 playoffs behind a suffocating defensive performance in their 33-14 win over Derby to finish district play. However, a 28-20 second-round loss to eventual state champion Junction City ended the season for a stout senior class.

Junior RB Dreamius Smith (5-11, 190), who nursed a freshman-year ACL injury in 2008, returns to full strength as the latest athletic, strong back out of Heights. Junior QB John Moreland (6-1, 170), a first-year starter, will find playmaker, senior WR Steven Strand (6-0, 165).

Backs Daniel DeShazer (5-4, 140), Dominique Hill (5-9, 160) and Delmonte Ross (5-9, 150) will operate from the slots in the flex bone, which coach Rick Wheeler instituted last season. –TW

4. Wichita East Blue Aces (6-3)

Despite losing nearly all their offensive output from 2008 with the graduation of Bryce Brown, Matt Byers and Morris Lolar, third-year East coach Brian Byers says he has one of his most experienced squads. While only four starters return on offense, eight return on defense.

Senior LB Geoff Stanford (6-0, 225), a two-year starter, has been the squad’s defensive leader the last two seasons. Seniors DE/RB Tim Dukes (6-0, 210), WR/DB-Jameal Farrison (5-11, 180) and WR/DB Jaleel Burns-Guidry (5-9, 175) also return.

East has started the season 5-1 in both Byers’ seasons as coach, only to lose two district games and miss the playoffs. –KDK