The Hilliard Darby Panthers blanked Columbus Walnut Ridge 34-0 on Sept. 4, posting their first shutout of the 2026 season.

The win moves Darby to 2-1 after three weeks. The Panthers opened with a 20-15 road win at Lancaster on Aug. 21 before falling 25-19 to fellow Hilliard program Bradley on Aug. 28.

The 34-point margin was Darby's most lopsided result this season. No individual player statistics or scoring breakdown were available after the game.

Season context

The 2-1 start already matches two-thirds of last year's win total. Darby finished 3-7 in 2025, beating Bradley 21-7, Euclid 33-20 and Thomas Worthington 29-12 while dropping seven of 10 games.

This year's Panthers showed they can move the ball on the ground. Darby rushed for nearly 340 yards in the Week 2 loss to Bradley, according to Cleveland.com's central Ohio rankings.

The Columbus Dispatch's statewide scoreboard confirmed all three Hilliard results from Friday night.

Around Hilliard

Darby was not the only local team putting up points. Hilliard Bradley beat Grove City 56-21. Hilliard Davidson fell to Miamisburg 21-14.

Bradley's 56-point outburst came a week after the Jaguars needed a strong defensive effort to hold off Darby's rushing attack.

Davidson's loss dropped the Wildcats into a difficult spot heading into a crosstown rivalry game.

Up next

Darby hosts Hilliard Davidson on Sept. 11. The Wildcats will be looking to rebound after the Miamisburg loss, while the Panthers aim to ride the shutout into Ohio Capital Conference play.

After the Davidson game, Darby's schedule includes Gahanna on Sept. 18, Olentangy Berlin on Sept. 25, a trip to Dublin Jerome on Oct. 2, home against Olentangy on Oct. 9, at Thomas Worthington on Oct. 16 and Marysville on Oct. 23.