Football Recap: Valley Center Comes Up Short + How To Watch

Valley Center played a tough contest on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They were outmatched by the Derby Panthers and fell 48-19. While losing is never fun, the Hornets can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Kansas football rankings (they are ranked 58th, while the Panthers are ranked sixth).

Valley Center lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Ray J Logan, who picked up 144 receiving yards and two scores. He also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, making two total tackles and defending two passes. Another player making a difference was Connor Thatcher, who threw for 310 yards and three TDs.

Koko Nyimbo

Sacks

10/10/25 vs Derby	2
09/05/25 vs Eisenhower	2
10/03/25 @ South	1

Even if they lost, Valley Center's defensive line still kept up the pressure with three sacks. Koko Nyimbo was particularly dangerous to the passing game, picking up two himself. He has become a key player for Valley Center: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least one sack, but 1-2 otherwise.

Derby got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Arieus Finley out in front who rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on only eight carries. The team also got some help courtesy of Blade Clark, who threw for 249 yards and four TDs on only 17 passes.

Valley Center's loss dropped their record down to 3-3. As for Derby, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 4-2.

We've got plenty of inter-district action coming up soon. Valley Center is set to square off against their familiar foe Maize at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, Derby will take on rival Maize South on Friday.