Month: April 2021

Orange seniors Daniel Champion and Will Crabtree both went extra lengths to win on their senior night over Cedar Ridge on Thursday night. Champion, a cornerback, made two interceptions, both in the third quarter. Champion had not played since the season opener against Southern Durham on March 5. Instead of sitting out the final two games, Champion practiced with some pain in his shoulder this week, and returned for what turned out to be a special night. Crabtree made the first touchdown catch of his career off a pass from backup quarterback Wynston Brown. Instead of waiting for graduation, Crabtree has already started his professional career. He currently serves with the Cedar Grove Fire Department. After attending Appalachian State, Crabtree plans to work in Durham as a fireman. Champion and Crabtree will look to clinch Orange’s first winning season since 2017 next week when they travel to Chapel Hill.

Orange wingback J.J. Torres scored a touchdown on his senior night. Torres opened the second quarter with a six-yard touchdown run as the Panthers defeated Cedar Ridge 36-6 in the final game of the abbreviated year at Auman Stadium. It was his second career touchdown. Torres was one of 13 Panthers to carry the ball in Marty Scotten’s new double wing offense. Torres finished with 49 yards on seven carries. In addition to playing football at Orange, Torres is a member of the outreach group called Fathers on the Move, which prepares young people for life outside of high school. In August, Torres will leave Hillsborough to become a student at UNC-Charlotte. Torres has one game, at least, remaining in his high school career when Orange travels to Chapel Hill next week.