There will be a bounce in the step of the Orange football team when practice resumes on Tuesday. That’s because the Panthers defeated Chapel Hill for the first time since 2019 on Friday night. Orange got three touchdowns from Ja’ki McDaniels, who rushed for 131 yards in Orange’s 20-13 victory over the Tigers at Culton-Peerman Stadium. McDaniels broke off a 54-yard run on the first play of the game, then ended the drive with a three-yard plunge. McDaniels scored the game-winning touchdown immediately after a fumble recovery by Jayden Klieforth in the fourth quarter. It was a gratifying win for the Panthers, who never trailed after leading 14-0 at the half. Orange’s Jayden Medley had an interception in the first half, then stopped Chapel Hill’s Josh Roberson at the 7-yard line in the dying seconds as the Tigers attempted to tie the game. McDaniels also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Hank Nunnery in the second quarter. Nahjour Kenyon, a 5-5 senior, made a huge tackle for loss against Chapel Hill starting quarterback Jonah Berman on the Tigers’ first series of the game. Orange will play its home opener against Vance County on Friday night at Amman Stadium. Then Orange will make its first-ever trip to Montgomery Central on September 14 for its final nonconference game.
Orange football coach DeVante Pettiford & running back Ja’ki McDaniels discuss win over Chapel Hill
There will be a bounce in the step of the Orange football team when practice resumes on Tuesday. That’s because the Panthers defeated Chapel Hill for the first time since 2019 on Friday night. Orange got three touchdowns from Ja’ki McDaniels, who rushed for 131 yards in Orange’s 20-13 victory over the Tigers at Culton-Peerman Stadium.