DERBY, Kan. — Derby wide receiver Michael Castillo scored three touchdowns and the Panthers forced three interceptions in a dominant 51-7 victory over the Hutchinson Salthawks Friday night at Panther Stadium.
The Panthers (3-2) limited Hutchinson to just 98 total yards while scoring on offense, defense and special teams in their 11th straight win over the Salthawks. Quarterback Blade Clark threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score, while Derby’s defense produced a pick-six and two more takeaways to spark the rout.
After Hutchinson (3-2) recovered a fumble on the game’s opening play, Derby’s Jaalum Jackson intercepted a pass to halt the Salthawks’ momentum. Tripp Holtzinger booted a 31-yard field goal for the early lead, and Clark extended it with a 5-yard run late in the first quarter. Clark then found Rowan Foster on a 52-yard deflected touchdown pass to push the margin to 17-0.
Hutchinson answered before halftime with a 2-yard scoring pass from Robert Hunter to Lamar Govain, trimming the deficit to 17-7. But Derby seized control with 26 unanswered points in the third quarter, highlighted by Amarion Houston’s 7-yard interception return and a 16-yard reverse touchdown by Castillo.
Castillo went on to haul in scoring passes of 23 and 29 yards from Clark, stretching Derby’s lead to 43-7. Tyler Pontious closed the scoring with an 18-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The game was marred by a brief sideline scuffle midway through the third quarter after Clark was hit late out of bounds. Four players — Two from Derby and two Hutchinson players — were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Derby finished with 343 total yards, including 198 on the ground, while Hutchinson was held to six first downs and just 31 rushing yards.
The Panthers will travel to Valley Center on Oct. 10, while Hutchinson looks to regroup in AVCTL play by hosting Campus.
Score by quarters
Hutchinson 0 7 0 0 — 7
Derby 10 7 26 8 — 51