DERBY, Kan. — Derby’s quarterback Lem Wash scored a career-high five touchdowns in Derby’s 56-7 win against the Salthawks Friday night as the Panthers beat the Salthawks.
The junior QB started in place of injured senior Grant Adler, who could miss up to 3 weeks after getting injured in practice. Derby’s ace running back Tre Washington also added a score in the first half.
Derby needed just 88 seconds to put its first score on the board as Lem Wash finished a drive that included a 37-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
Hutchinson, who ate a large chunk of clock thanks to its ball control, flexbone offense, was unable to answer and Wash scored from six yards out on Derby’s second drive.
Hutch then coughed up the football on its next offensive series as Derby defensive lineman Daniel Archer recovered a fumble on the 38 yard line.
Lem Wash scored his third touchdown on the following possession, opening up a 21-0 Derby lead with 2:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Hutch did travel inside the Derby red zone. However, a tackle for loss on third down at the Derby 13 damaged its hopes of converting on a short-yardage situation.
Washington made it a four-score game with a three-yard touchdown run with 5:00 remaining in the first half.
Wash then scored another TD to make it 35-0 with 2:21 left on the clock.
The Salthawks appeared to have a burst of life as they returned the following kickoff to midfield. A personal foul, however, put a major dent in its hopes to score before the break.
Derby senior defensive tackle Tyler Dorsey recovered a fumble at the Hutchinson 42 just two plays later.
Derby’s Tanner Knox intercepted Hutchinson quarterback Dallas Chambers on the opening possession of the second half. Wash then connected with junior wide receiver Reid Liston on a 36-yard touchdown pass.
The Panther defense forced their fourth turnover when senior defensive back Terry Ginyard returned a Chambers’ pass 55 yards for the score and a 49-0 lead.
Hutchinson running back Izaiah Delvalle scored on a 40-yard run on its first play of the fourth quarter, but Liston put a stamp on Derby’s scoring on the ensuing possession with a one-yard touchdown run.
Derby travels to Haysville-Campus next Friday night and Hutchinson travels to Salina South.