The old saying in football is 12 plays decide every game. After Orange’s 40-7 victory over East Chapel Hill on Friday night, the Panthers are 2-3, 1-0 in the Big 8 Conference. Courtesy of Shayne Thompson of Thompsonteamfilms.com, here are the 12 plays that led to Orange’s victory in the Big 8 opener.
- Jake DeFranco’s first catch of the game.
Orange scored on its opening drive for the 2nd straight game. On a 14-play, 60-yard drive, the longest gain came when senior quarterback Wyatt Jones threw to wide receiver Jake DeFranco for 22 yards. This led to Nigel Slanker’s 22-yard field goal that put Orange ahead 3-0. DeFranco led Orange in receiving with four receptions for 74 yards.
2. J.J. Torres converts a 3rd-and-3.
Orange was limited at its skill positions on Friday night, but J.J. Torres got his first carries since the Williams game in the first half. His best gain of the night was this six-yard run on a 3rd-and-3 to continue another punishing drive for Orange.
3. Wyatt Jones scores on a quarterback sneak
Orange scored four touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to pull away from the Wildcats. For the 2nd time this year, Wyatt Jones scored on a quarterback sneak to put Orange ahead 9-0.
4. Omarion Lewis rushes for 24 yards
Sophomore Omarion Lewis had his 2nd 100-yard rushing game in four varsity contests against East Chapel Hill. He started Orange’s 2nd touchdown drive with his longest run of the night, this 24 yard gallop to immediately put the Panthers in business leading 10-0.
5. Joe Kiger catches his first TD pass of the season.
Joe Kiger was tied with Zyon Pettiford for the team-lead in receptions after three games. Kiger focused on defense against Riverside, but he was a factor against Williams. He had three carries for 18 yards as a wingback. Midway through the second quarter, he caught his first touchdown pass from Jones from 14 yards out to put Orange ahead 16-0.
6. James McAdoo with a 10-yard sack.
Over the past three games, defensive lineman James McAdoo has forced three fumbles, all of which led to Orange takeaways. He also had two sacks against the Wildcats. This one immediately led to another Panther touchdown.
7. Joe Kiger rushes to force a botched East Chapel Hill punt
Joe Kiger not only had a strong game on offense, but he had a good night on special teams. As usual, he handled all of Orange’s long snapping duties. However, when East had a punt in the 2nd quarter, Kiger put up a rush that caused a miscue from the Wildcats and led to an immediate touchdown.
8. Omarion Lewis scored on a 13-yard touchdown run
Lewis scored his 3rd touchdown of the season on a 13-yard carry.
9. Wyatt Jones throws to Cameron White for a 46 yard gain
Orange’s longest play from scrimmage came late in the 2nd quarter with a 24-0 lead. On the opening play of their final scoring drive of the 1st half, senior wide receiver Cameron White made a 46-yard catch, his only grab of the night.
10. Elliott Woods scores his first varsity touchdown
Elliott Woods had a strong overall game for Orange. Playing wingback on offense and linebacker on defense, Woods had a career-high 60 yards rushing. He also had three tackles. Woods scored his first varsity touchdown on a five-yard scamper late in the first half.
11. Elliott Woods makes a 17-yard gain on 3rd-and-12.
In addition to his 60 yards rushing, Woods had two receptions for 37 yards. His biggest catch of the night came on Orange’s first drive of the 2nd half for 17 yards on a 3rd-down-and-12.
12. Woods scores his 2nd varsity TD.
Woods second touchdown came on a 4th down. It was the final Orange touchdown of the night.