Month: August 2018

How does a coach turn a great Thursday night football team into a great Friday night football team?

If that was a simple question to answer, Orange High would have had several state football championships by now. The Panthers haven’t lost a junior varsity game in over three years. At a time when some schools can’t field varsity programs, Orange continues to have healthy numbers for junior varsity just as they’ve done since the late 80s.

The transition to the next level isn’t easy. Some of the players who suited up for Orange during Friday’s 33-24 loss to Northern Nash had never lost a high school football game before. They had certainly never lost to a team that went 1-10 the previous season.

It was Orange’s first season opening loss since 2010, but perhaps it shouldn’t have been surprising. The Panthers have only one returning starter on offense, four on defense.

Last season, Orange captured a share of the Big 8 Championship despite being held under 100 yards passing seven times. There was hope new quarterbacks Travis Ray or Wyatt Jones would make Orange’s spread vertical to start the 2018 season against the Knights.

Summertime 7-on-7 drills can’t adequately prepare a new quarterback for what he will face in the regular season because 7-on-7 games don’t have a pass rush, something that plagued the Orange offensive line and created endless headaches for Ray and Wyatt Jones on Friday night.

Yet that didn’t seem to hamper Orange the previous Friday against Eastern Alamance. The Panthers outscored the Eagles 38-21 in Mebane with Zyon Pettiford scoring two touchdowns.

So what happened against the Knights?

Things started unraveling immediately. Orange lost two starting wide receivers in the opening six minutes. Flanker Freddy Francis, a transfer from Cedar Ridge, injured his foot on the game’s second series and didn’t return. Slot receiver Khaleb Smith, who also plays defensive end, injured his knee after making a catch to convert a 4th down on Orange’s third series. He also didn’t return.

“With Khaleb, we didn’t want to take any chances,” said Orange Coach Van Smith. “It was a problem with his knee. It was just precautionary.”

It was also the theme of the night. Throughout the course of the second half, Panther after Panther left the game because of cramps or other injuries.

“We went from being a team that’s pretty deep with having any of our players playing offense and defense to plugging people in on both sides very quickly,” said Smith.

Entering Friday night, Orange had gone 67-13 since the 2012 season behind players like Bryse Wilson, Payton Wilson, Stone Edwards, Tay Jones, Ryan Sellers, Garrett Cloer, Marvante Beasley, Noah Rogers, Eryk Brandon-Dean and countless others.

Now, all those players have moved on. As with Northern Durham,  Hillside, Southern Durham, Garner and every other program that has had success over several years, there comes a time for transition because that’s how sports evolve. Orange has just started theirs, but Smith has coached successful teams before coming to HIllsborough. He’ll coach more of them at Orange, and he isn’t ready to press the panic button after one game.

“I think going into next week, the guys know that they have to focus,” said Smith. “We had a long talk after the game that we’re inexperienced in a lot of areas. We’re young in a lot of areas. There are eight coaches on the coaching staff. What we need now are our older guys, who are experienced, to become coaches at practice and bring these younger guys along and help get them ready.”

Just three starts into his stint in Triple-A baseball and Bryse Wilson is already setting records.

On Wednesday night, Wilson broke a nearly decade-old Gwinnett Stripers franchise record with 13 strikeouts as Gwinnett defeated the Louisville Bats 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep. Wilson’s broke the old record set by Charlie Moton on April 12, 2009. That game was the fourth in Gwinnett history after the franchise relocated from Richmond, VA.

Wilson struck out seven of the first ten batters he faced. Since being called up from Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League, Wilson has gone 3-0 with a 4.50 ERA for the Stripers.

Wilson has three wins in three starts with the Stripers. In his first AAA outing, he gave up ten hits and seven runs in a 10-7 victory over Norfolk, striking out eight. Last Thursday against Buffalo, Wilson tossed six-and-two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and four runs in a 9-5 Stripers’ victory.

After spending all of 2017 with the Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League, it’s been a summer of promotions for Wilson. He started the season with the Florida Fire Frogs of the Florida State League. In five starts, Wilson went 2-0 with a 0.34 ERA. He only yielded four runs in the FSL, and only one of those was earned. He struck out 26 with no walks.

On May 7, Wilson was promoted to Mississippi, where his early outings were his toughest of the season.  At one point, Wilson lost five straight starts with a 6.24 ERA through 44 2/3 innings. In each of his five losses, Mississippi scored three runs or less. Things turned around last month.

In the month of July, Wilson led all of minor league baseball with 42 strikeouts, despite being the youngest player in the Southern League at 20 years old. He finished July with a 2-0 record, throwing 32 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, seven walks and a 0.84 ERA.

Wilson is currently the youngest pitcher in AAA baseball by eight months. In his final AA start on July 30th against Birmingham, Wilson had eight strikeouts over five innings. In all five starts in the month of July, Wilson struck out more batters than he pitched innings. Wilson’s longest start in Mississippi came on July 19^th in a 2-0 victory over the Montgomery Biscuts, striking out nine over seven innings. He yielded only three hits and a walk in a no decision.

Wilson spent all of 2017 with the Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League, where he went 10-7 with a 2.50 ERA in 26 starts. He struck out 139 while walking 37.

Wilson, the son of Chad and Tracey Wilson of Hillsborough, is a 2016 graduate of Orange. He was selected in the 4^th round by Atlanta in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. As a four-year starter on the baseball team, Wilson went 33-4 with a 0.90 ERA in leading the Panthers to four Big 8 Conference Championships. His win total likely would have been higher if it wasn’t for a shoulder injury during his sophomore season, which limited him to four starts on the mound.

Wilson’s father, Chad, is a 1990 graduate of Orange High. Bryse’s brother, Payton, was an All-State linebacker at Orange and will redshirt the upcoming season at N.C. State.

After losing 12 seniors for 2017, it figured to be a rebuilding season for the Orange boys soccer team.

After making the 2nd round of the 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2009, the Panthers lost leading scorer Jamar Davis, All-State wingback Omar Landeros, goalkeeper Noah Miller and midfielder Luke Wirzba.

In the opening week of the 2018 season, Orange dropped both of its opening matches. On Monday night, Orange fell to Carrboro 2-1 in Hillsborough. The Jaguars, who went undefeated in the 2-A Mid-State Conference last season and finished 20-3-2 overall, scored the game-winning goal midway through the 2nd half. Levi Anderson notched Orange’s first goal of the season off a corner kick from Cameron Michalski.

On Wednesday night, Walter Williams defeated the Panthers 4-2. Michalski and Drew Jagentenfl each scored goals for Orange. Williams’ Jorge Alfaro notched two goals, while Chris Gutierrez and Dallin Vandre also scored for the Bulldogs. Junior Romeo Vera tallied three assists. Matthew Morrison made six saves as Williams captured its season-opener. In 2017, the Bulldogs captured a share of the 3A Mid Piedmont Conference and finished 19-3-1.

Orange will make back-to-back road trips next week, starting Tuesday at Eastern Alamance. On Wednesday, the Panthers face Person in Roxboro.

Cedar Ridge started its season on Monday night with a 6-2 loss to Eastern Alamance in Mebane. Sophomore Gustavo Salas scored a hat trick for the Eagles. Cedar Ridge received goals from Reese Weaver on an assist from Dean Allen. Frank Orellana notched an unassisted goal for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge will play at Durham School of the Arts on Thursday night, then travel to Carrboro on Monday night. Cedar Ridge opens its home schedule on Wednesday against Graham.

Elsewhere in girls tennis, both Orange and Cedar Ridge opened the season with young teams. Going into the season, Cedar Ridge Coach Lennie Corbett figured to have the services of Ivy Garner, a rising sophomore who finished runner-up in the 3A Mideast Regionals last season. However, Garner transferred to Eno River Academy last week to focus on her main sport, soccer.

Cedar Ridge was also shorthanded when they fell to Bartlett Yancey 8-1 in Monday’s opener as two starters were on vacation. Olivia Ward, who started during the Red Wolves 2016 Big 8 Championship run, won in #1 singles. On Tuesday, Eastern Alamance defeated the Red Wolves 7-2.

The Orange girls tennis team started the season with a 9-0 loss to Eastern Alamance on Monday. On Wednesday, the Lady Panthers fell to Person 5-4.

Against the Rockets, freshman Jera Hargrove won at #1 singles. Junior Sydney Allison earned her first win of the season at #5 singles.  In doubles action, the team of Lindsey Jouannet and Morgan Gwynn won at #2, while Allison teamed with junior Gaylaw Eh for a victory at #3.

Next week, Orange will host Eastern Alamance on Monday. Then comes the Big 8 opener against defending conference champion East Chapel Hill on Wednesday.

As for Cedar Ridge, they travel to Eastern Alamance on Monday, then head north to face Bartlett Yancey on Wednesday. They host Roxboro Community School on Thursday, its only home match of the week.

On Friday night, Zyon Pettiford will make his varsity debut when Orange faces Northern Nash at Auman Stadium. Pettiford had an impressive, though unofficial, start to his varsity career last Friday in a scrimmage against Eastern Alamance in Mebane. Pettiford made six receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. Pettiford is also likely to be a starter this winter for the Orange basketball team under new head coach Derryl Britt. 

Orange WR Zyon Pettiford Discusses Eastern Alamance Scrimmage, Friday’s Opener vs. Northern Nash

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The Orange volleyball team won its home opener on Tuesday night, defeated 2A power South Granville 3-1. Liz LaNier had a strong overall game for the Panthers, who captured the last two sets. Orange is 2-0 under new head coach Kelly Young. They have a rematch set for Thursday night against the Vikings in Creedmoor.

Orange Senior Middle Hitter Liz LaNier Discusses the Lady Panthers Win over South Granville

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During her first week of practice as the new Orange volleyball coach, Kelly Young made no secret of her goals.

“I want to be Chapel Hill,” said Young.

It’s a lofty goal. The Tigers have won consecutive 3A Eastern Regional Championships since the arrival of Ross Fields as head coach in 2016.

Orange isn’t ready to compete for state championships two games into 2018, but Tuesday night certainly was a promising sign.

The Panthers defeated perennial 2A power South Granville 3-1 at Jim King Gymnasium on scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-17 and 25-16. The Lady Panthers (2-0) were 24 hours removed from a road victory over Eastern Alamance in Mebane.

The Vikings (0-1) have a 102-20 record since 2014. During the past four years, they have won three Northern Carolina Conference Championships, two 2A Eastern Regional Championships and the 2015 2A State Championship.

Despite that, Young says she wasn’t surprised by the result.

“I had a good feeling,” said Young. “I knew that they (South Granville) was strong, so I was excited about playing them. I know we play them again at their place on Thursday, so I know they’ll be out for blood. So we’ve got to play even better than we did tonight.”

The two teams split the opening sets. In the third, South Granville bolted out to a 6-1 lead. Orange went on a 11-6 run, which included a block from Libby Jones and consecutive kills from junior Emma Clements. With the set tied 10-10, Clements spiked a ball off an assist from Kaitlyn Werden to take the lead. Gracie Ducharme’s kill off a pass from Elizabeth Vosburg wrapped up the set and gave Orange a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth set, Orange never trailed. They started on a 4-1 run, which included an ace from Werden. In the final set, Clements had four kills and one ace as Orange pushed its lead to 20-12 at one point. Vosburg, which her older brother Logan watching from the stands, had a key block that pushed the Lady Panthers’ advantage to 19-12.

On Monday night, Orange defeated Eastern Alamance in Mebane for Young’s first win as the Lady Panthers’ coach. Orange took the first two sets 25-8 and 25-17.

Liz LaNier had 21 kills against the Eagles, while Clementrrs added 16 kills and Jones had 10. Werden led Orange with three aces, while Clements added two. LaNier also had eight blocks. Senior Meg Gattis finished with 45 digs. Werden also had eleven assists, while Ducharme had six.

Orange travels to South Granville on Thursday. They return home on Monday night for a rematch against Eastern Alamance.

Last season, Orange cornerback Eryk Mercado tied for the team lead in interceptions and led the team in pass breakups. Now, as a senior, Mercado is a co-captain, inheriting a role that Payton Wilson held last year. Mercado will lead a younger Orange defense that held Eastern Alamance to one touchdown in Friday’s scrimmage in Mebane. On Friday, the Panthers open the season at home against Northern Nash. 

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Last season, Orange cornerback Eryk Mercado tied for the team lead in interceptions and led the team in pass breakups. Now, as a senior, Mercado is a co-captain, inheriting a role that Payton Wilson held last year. Mercado will lead a younger Orange defense that held Eastern Alamance to one touchdown in Friday’s scrimmage in Mebane.

The Cedar Ridge volleyball team’s first win under new head coach Anna Seethaler was a dramatic one. The Red Wolves trailed 2-0 against the Buccaneers. But Cedar Ridge rallied to take the final three sets and take a 3-2 win on Monday night on scores of 21-25, 16-25, 25-20, 25-22 and 15-12. Senior co-Captain Rachel Tucker had 19 digs and five assists. The Red Wolves will try to go to 2-0 on Wednesday night when they host Durham School of the Arts at 6:30.

Cedar Ridge Senior Rachel Tucker Discusses Win Over Bartlett Yancey

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