There’s an old expression in football that 12 plays decide every game. This week, we’re revisiting a favorite feature on Hillsboroughsports.com: The Dire Dozen. Here are the 12 plays that decided Orange’s 21-13 win over Williams on Friday night, Orange’s largest come-from-behind victory since 2014.
- Williams 1st-and-15 at the Orange 48-yard line early 1st quarter.
The return of Jake DeFranco as Orange’s free safety paid immediate dividends. DeFranco, a senior who missed the opening two games, made two important plays early as Williams played without starting quarterback Kennedy Miles (torn ACL) or backup Kalihal Currie (injured vs. Eastern Alamance)
2. Williams with a 4th-and-2 at the Orange 20-yard line.
The Bulldogs inserted Shane Whitter, who was selected to the North Carolina Shrine Bowl Team on Sunday night, at quarterback on its third season. Whitter, a middle linebacker who leads the team in tackles, attempted to sneak around right end on 4th-and-2. DeFranco had other ideas.
3. Orange moves into the red zone midway through the 2nd quarter.
Orange crossed the 50-yard line for the first time midway through the 1st quarter. Trailing 7-0, quarterback Wyatt Jones gained 17 yards on 2-and-9, then added nine more yards on a late hit penalty. While Orange didn’t score on this drive, it did set up the Panthers for a big finish to the quarter.
4. Williams 1st-and-10, leading 14-0, at its own 20-yard line with 2:57 remaining in the first half.
The biggest play of the game. Williams led 14-0 after an 80-yard touchdown run by Alijah Richmond. Orange punted with less than 3:00 remaining and despair started to creep in. Williams had just inserted Evan Breedlove at quarterback, which is when Owen Brimmer stepped in for his 1st career interception.
5. Orange 4th-and-inches from the Williams 4-yard line, late 2nd quarter.
The chain of events that led to Orange’s first touchdown was bizarre. After Brimmer’s interception, it appeared the Panthers would be content with a field goal attempt from Nigel Slanker. But Williams committed back-to-back offside penalties, leading to a 4th-and-inches from the 4–yard line. A field goal was no longer in Coach Van Smith’s game plan. Instead, he relied on 270-pound defensive tackle Courtney Edwards, who scored his first varsity touchdown. Orange trailed 13-7 at the half.
6. Williams 3rd-and-7 at its own 39-yard line, leading 13-7 early in the 3rd quarter.
Orange got the ball to start the second half, but went three-and-out. Once again, the Orange defense made a big play. This time, it was senior linebacker Joe Kiger.
7. Orange ball, 3rd-and-4 at the Williams 46-yard line.
Orange was 0-for-7 on 3rd down conversions up to this point in the game. Jones found Elliott Woods for a key 19-yard reception, which was actually the Panthers’ longest play from scrimmage in the 2nd half.
8. Orange 1st-and-10 from the Williams 4-yard line.
On the play before this one, Wyatt Jones converted a 4th-and-two by diving around left end on a read pass option (A rangy quarterback using his long reach to convert a 4th down in a big game. Imagine that!) On the next play, sophomore Omarion Lewis scored his 2nd varsity touchdown. This was Orange’s 14th point off turnovers in this game and would put them ahead for good.
9. Nigel Slanker touchback on subsequent kickoff
Slanker is off to a strong start as Orange’s triple threat kicker. He made all three extra points in this game, plus has two field goals from over 30 yards. With Orange leading 14-13, he didn’t give the Bulldogs the benefit of good field position.
10. Wyatt Jones scores on a quarterback sneak.
Early in the 4th quarter, Orange’s Lewis converted a 3rd-and-5 with a nine-yard run. Jones bounced off several tacklers to bring the ball close to the goal line on the next play, but came up just shore. Orange offensive linemen Brody Andrews and Dari’us Matkins helped blocked Jones into the end zone on 3rd-and-goal to put Orange ahead 21-13.
11. J.J. Torres forces a key holding penalty
Williams offense was tepid in the 2nd half until its final drive. Whitter found leading receiver Kendall Briggs for a 35-yard gain. The Panther were called for a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, leading to Williams getting a 1st-and-goal from the 10-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal, Williams went back to Briggs on a jet sweep. Torres read the play just right and it led to a holding penalty that appeared to nullify a touchdown.
12. Torres seals the win.
On 4th-and-goal from the Orange 18-yard line, Torres sewed up the win with his first varsity interception.