Quick recap: Panthers upset Blue Springs in OT

Ray-Pec senior quarterback Daccota Stamback scores the game-winning touchdown on the first play of the Panthers' offensive possession in overtime Friday night. Ray-Pec beat Blue Springs, 35-32, improving to 2-0 on the season. (photo by Jimmy Gillispie)

BLUE SPRINGS — Daccota Stamback caught the snap, hesitated and sprinted through the heart of the defense before ripping off his helmet and celebrating with teammates late Friday night.

He helped the Panthers take down Blue Springs, 35-32, to begin the season 2-0.

The Ray-Pec senior quarterback had just scored a 25-yard touchdown run on the Panthers’ first offensive play of the overtime period. It came one play after Blue Springs connected on a field goal, grabbing a 32-29 lead in overtime.

Blue Springs forced overtime by scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion with just 0:02 left on the clock. Senior quarterback Wyatt Erickson connected with senior wideout Justyn Lindsay for the touchdown pass. One play later, Erickson scrambled around before finding senior wide receiver Traice Colliar in the back of the end zone, and Collier was able to get one foot down to score the conversion.

The Wildcats led 14-13 at halftime before Ray-Pec scored a pair of touchdowns in the opening four minutes of the second half, taking control of the contest. 

Ray-Pec has begun the 2026 season with a pair of wins over Liberty and Blue Springs. The Panthers struggled through a 0-10 season last year in their first year under coach Gregg Jones, who took over for a squad that finished 1-10 in 2024. The last time they began a season 2-0 was 2022.

A full story on the game will be published later in the weekend.