The Hilliard Darby Panthers will give fans their first look at the 2026 squad Aug. 6, when they head out for a preseason scrimmage. Freshmen take the field at 8 a.m. Varsity follows at 9 a.m.

The team announced the scrimmage Tuesday on its official account, tagging the host program Golden Bears Football. The specific school behind that program has not been confirmed publicly.

Head coach Brad Burchfield's group has been building toward this moment since spring. The Panthers held skill-position workouts at Dublin Scioto on April 11, and ran their Panther Pride Camp in early June before OHSAA-mandated practices opened Aug. 1.

Thursday's scrimmage marks the first live action for a Darby program that leaned on quarterback Jonah Marsh, running back Kohen Kornegay and defensive standout Cedric Holman during a 2025 campaign that opened with a 21-7 win over crosstown rival Hilliard Bradley. Whether those names suit up again in 2026 will become clearer once the Panthers line up under the lights.

The team account signaled the program's mindset back in May, saying the staff planned to pursue championships while having fun and developing players under the #DarbyBall identity.

Darby competes in the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division. The regular season opens Aug. 21 at Lancaster with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Week 2 brings a rivalry rematch at Hilliard Bradley on Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. The Panthers' home opener is Sept. 4, against Walnut Ridge at 7 p.m., with a home matchup against Hilliard Davidson also on the schedule.