Derrick Ponder Ends Season Among the Best

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 26, 2014

Junior quarterback, Derrick Ponder (6'1", 195lbs) of Bells High School had a dream season and his father, Scott Ponder had a pretty good one of his own. Coach Ponder took over a Bells Panther team that only managed a 2-28 record over the last three seasons and his son became the starting quarterback.

The Panthers ended their season at 8-4 - their best record since 1997 (9-2) and Derrick quietly moved to the top of several single season passing records:

Pass Completions - Derrick's 343 landed him 2nd all-time behind Garrett Gilbert

SEASON -- PASS COMPLETIONS
1.    360 - Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis, 2007
2.   343 - Derrick Ponder, Bells, 2014
3.    333 - Paul Millard, Flower Mound, 2010

Pass Attempts - Derrick's 583 put him in the top spot all-time

SEASON -- PASS ATTEMPTS
1. 583 - Derrick Ponder, Bells, 2014
2. 556 - Garrett Gilbert, Austin Lake Travis, 2007
3. 537 - Phillip Daugherty, Bridgeport, 2001

Passing Yards - His 4,324 yards is enough for the #20 spot in single-season yardage

SEASON -- PASSING YARDS (Premium content)

17    4,424    Michael Brewer    Austin Lake Travis    4A    2009
18    4,412    Kadarius Baker    Navasota    3A    2012
19    4,364    Brett Gilchrist    Whitney    3A    2014
20    4,324    Derrick Ponder    Bells    2A    2014
21    4,284    Chris Sanders    Flower Mound Marcus        1995
22    4,261    Case McCoy    Graham    3A    2009
23    4,255    Gary Joe (GJ) Kinne    Canton    3A    2005

Passing Touchdowns - Derrick connected for 47 TDs which ties him with 8 other QBs

SEASON -- PASSING TOUCHDOWNS (Premium content)

33    47    Derrick Ponder    Bells    2A    2014
33    47    Jason Kopriva    Cameron Yoe    2A    2013
33    47    Hunter Taylor    Whitehouse    4A    2011
33    47    Paul Millard    Flower Mound    5A    2010
33    47    Graylon Brown    Brownwood    3A    2010
33    47    Gary Joe Kinne    Gilmer    3A    2006
33    47    Spencer Stack    Flower Mound Marcus        1997
33    47    Stephen McGee    Burnet    3A    2003
33    47    Colt McCoy    Tuscola Jim Ned    2A    2004

The Bells Panthers had a great turnaround with the addition of the Ponders (father and son) but their magical season came to an end at the hands of the Mart Panthers last Thursday.

Game Location McLane Stadium, Waco, TX