Orange Football

Photo by Braeden Wilbourn 

Midway through the season and the Orange Middle School football team is midway towards another appearance in the Orange Person Athletic Conference championship game.

Last Wednesday, quarterback Brayden Robbins scored two touchdowns as the Chargers defeated crosstown rival Stanback 42-6 at A.L. Stanback Stadium. Cam Royster, Wilbert Torain, Kyleed Royster, Jakia Rawles and Ayden Devore all scored touchdowns for the Chargers, who remained undefeated on the year.

Orange Middle’s first string defense didn’t allow a point in the opening three quarters.

The Chargers will venture to Roxboro on Wednesday afternoon for a huge game against Northern Middle School that could very well determine the OPAC Northern Division champion.

Football: Stanback 22, Gravelly Hill 0: On October 9, Stanback defeated Gravelly Hill for its second shutout of the season. Jayden Battle scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Bodhi McDaniel scored a touchdown for Stanback.

Once again, we’re looking to cover Orange Middle, Gravelly Hill and Stanback sports. Regardless of whether its football, men’s soccer, volleyball, cross country or the winter and spring sports. Please send names of athletes who stood out, any statistics to hamlin37@hotmail.com. Or go to our Instagram page and DM us.

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From the moment Orange ran the Philly Special on the first play from scrimmage on Friday night, the Panthers dominated their crosstown rivals in the Battle of Hillsborough.

Orange junior Kyse Devore, in just his third start, threw for four touchdowns as rushed for another as the Panthers retained the Victory Bell with a 54-0 victory over Cedar Ridge during Homecoming at Auman Stadium. Orange captured its first home victory since they defeated Montgomery Central on September 8, 2023.

It was a night of milestones for the Panthers. For starters, Orange offensive lineman Kayshawn Farrington and Marshea Byrd were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. It was also the anniversary of the dedication of Auman Stadium, named for Glen Auman, who coached Hillsboro High School football to consecutive conference championships in 1959 and 1960.

In between the first and second quarters, Orange High’s 1969 3A State Championship Men’s Basketball team was honored. Last spring, the surviving members gathered for a daylong celebration at Orange High’s Auditorium, where they received championship rings 55 years after winning the title at Durham’s Sykes Gymnasium.

Cedar Ridge was without its top skill player, running back Isaiah Craig, who had consecutive 100-yard running games to open the year against East Chapel Hill and Northwest Halifax. The Red Wolves finished with five yards total offense and had to use quarterback Thomas McDermott on keepers for its few positive bursts of offense.

“It was a much-needed win,” said Orange coach DeVante Pettiford. “We’re in the closing stretch with three games left. If we win two of these last three, we stand a good chance of getting into the playoffs. Hopefully, this lights a fire under us and gets us rolling.”

Devore, whose younger brothers Ayden and Asher play at Orange Middle School, was pressed into emergency duty at quarterback three weeks ago after senior Hank Nunnery was injured late in the first quarter at Montgomery Central. It’s been a trial by fire. His opening two starts were against Western Alamance and Walter Williams, possibly the best two teams in the Central Conference.

On Friday night, Devore spread the wealth, delivering four touchdowns passes to four different players. He now has seven touchdown passes over the last six quarters.

“Kyse has a lot of confidence behind him,” Pettiford said. “It’s not just showing up on Friday. He’s putting the time in every week. He’s working hard at practice. He’s watched over four-and-a-half hours of practice over the past two weeks. The success you’re seeing is coming from the time he’s spent preparing.”

The first quarter dragged on amidst a flurry of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams. There were four penalties on the first three plays from scrimmage, but Orange broke the slog on its opening possession when Devore handed the ball to Kingston Purefoy-Farrington, who dropped it off to Hunter Albert, who flipped it back to Devote and aired it out for Kayden Bradsher for a 38-yard gain. On the next play, Devore found Purefoy-Farrington for a 39-yard touchdown.

The Panthers scored on all of its drives in the first half. On its second series, Ja’ki McDaniels returned after missing two games with an injury suffered at Montgomery Central and ripped off a 21-yard run. On the next play, freshman Owen Phillips hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass. The extra point from Will Cooper gave Orange a 13-0 lead.

Devore called his own number after Bradsher moved the ball into the red zone with a 20-yard gain. Devore scored his first varsity touchdown on a 2-yard carry.

Orange’s offense, defense and special teams all scored in the first quarter. After the Panthers’ defense forced a Red Wolf punt, Bradsher picked up a great block from Ty’lieq Jones and raced 79 yards for a touchdown with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter.

On the next Red Wolf drive, Hunter Albert picked off a pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown. Albert later scored on offense, catching a 42 yard pass from Devote to open the second quarter.

McDaniels would add a 39-yard touchdown pass from Devore to end the first half.

The second half was played with a running clock of 10-minute quarters. Orange senior Deandre Brown scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a six-yard run.

Cedar Ridge’s Matthew Asay had an interception in the second half.

ORANGE 54, CEDAR RIDGE 0

CR–0   0    0   0-0

ORA–34  14  0   6-54

ORA–Kingston Purfoy-Farrington 39 pass from Kyse Devore (kick blocked)

ORA–Owen Phillips 16 pass from Devore (Will Cooper kick)

ORA–Devote 2 run (Cooper kick)

ORA–Kayden Bradsher 79 punt return (Cooper kick)

ORA–Hunter Albert 15 interception return (Cooper kick)

ORA–Albert 42 pass from Devore (Cooper kick)

ORA–Ja’ki McDaniels 39 pass from Devore (Cooper kick)

ORA–Deandre Brown 6 run (kick failed)

RUSHING–CEDAR RIDGE (Thomas McDermott 11-10, Mason Hughes 1-1, Jordan Oliva 3-(-3), team 3-(-13).

ORANGE: Bradsher 2-21, McDaniels 1-20, Devore 3-18 TD, Brown 1-6 TD.

PASSING: CEDAR RIDGE (McDermott 3-12 7 yards, INT)

ORANGE (Devore 6-11 195 yards 4 TD, INT)

RECEIVING: CEDAR RIDGE (Gavin Stone 1-9, Olivia 1-1, Hughes 1-(-1))

ORANGE: (Albert 2-47 TD, Purefoy-Farrington 1-39 TD, McDaniels 1-39 TD, Bradsher 1-38, Phillips 1-36 TD)

The Orange Middle School Chargers football team went into Wednesday’s game against Southern Middle School as a litmus test. In a rugged battle, the Chargers moved to 3-0 with a 16-6 victory over the Panthers at Chargers Field in Hillsborough. Quarterback Brayden Robbins scored a touchdown in the second quarter to put the Chargers ahead early. Amir Johnson added another touchdown in the third quarter for Orange Middle. Kyleed Royster scored on a two-point conversion, while Johnson added another. The offensive line play of tackles Ulises Cruz and Amare Bost, along with guards Damauri Hester and Elliott Fox, plus center Brayden Johnson helped Orange Middle run down the clock and keep Southern at bay. Orange Middle was driving late for another touchdown, but coughed up the ball in the Panthers Red zone. Bost, who is also an inside linebacker on defense, along with linebacker Asher DeVote helped limit Southern to a season-low in points. The Chargers are the defending OPAC Champions and are trying to win the Northern Division championship once again under head coach Jamie Bailey. Orange Middle will take next Wednesday off before they journey across town to face Stanback at Bulldogs Field on October 16, followed by a trip to Roxboro to face Northern Middle on October 23.

Orange Middle’s Johnson, Robbins, Royster, Bost & Stone talk football win over Southern Panthers

The Orange Middle School Chargers football team went into Wednesday’s game against Southern Middle School as a litmus test. In a rugged battle, the Chargers moved to 3-0 with a 16-6 victory over the Panthers at Chargers Field in Hillsborough. Quarterback Brayden Robbins scored a touchdown in the second quarter to put the Chargers ahead early.

Photo from Steelers.com

Payton Wilson: The former Orange linebacker became the first Panther to play in an NFL game since Alvis Whitted in 2006 for the Oakland Raiders last month. On Sunday, Wilson registered six tackles as the Steelers suffered its first loss of the season to the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wilson has played regularly in Pittsburgh’s opening four games. In the Steelers’ season-opener, Wilson had three tackles in an 18-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Against the Los Angeles Chargers, Wilson finished with two tackles. Pittsburgh is 3-1 and will face the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium next Sunday night.

Bryse Wilson: As the Milwaukee Brewers started its wildcard series against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Wilson was activated from the injured list on Monday. He had been nursing an oblique injury and had been on the injured list since September 3, two days after his last outing. This season, Wilson is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 34 appearances. He has started nine games. In 104.2 innings pitched, Wilson has 82 strikeouts. Wilson isn’t on the Brewers’ playoff roster for its series against New York. He may be placed on the roster if Milwaukee advance to the National League Divisional Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trenton Gill: The former Cedar Ridge punter has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. It comes after Gill was released by the Denver Broncos last month, even though Gill had the highest punting average among all players in the NFL preseason.

Darius Satterfield: Fayetteville State University defeated Elizabeth City State University 31-7 at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex to win the Annual Down East Viking Classic on September 21. Satterfield averaged 34 yards over five punts, his longest being 41 yards. He also had one touchback. Satterfield also scored a point after touchdown. Elizabeth City State is 2-2 and will travel to Salisbury to face Livingstone College its CIAA opener on Saturday.

Wynston Brown: The former Orange High quarterback and wide receiver has started his sophomore season at Division III Methodist University in Fayetteville. The Monarchs are 1-3 overall, 1-1 in the USA South Athletic Conference. Methodist will face North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount on Saturday.

Aaron Oliveras: The former Cedar Ridge offensive lineman is now at Division III Averett University in Danville, VA. The Cougars are 2-1 and suffered its first loss to Ferrum College 36-10 last week. Averett will face Washington & Lee next Saturday.

Ivy Garner: The Liberty University women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season to Florida International at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, VA last Friday. The Panthers defeated the Flames 3-0. Up to that point, Liberty had gone eleven consecutive matches without a loss, entering the national rankings for the first time as a Division I team. On September 19, Liberty defeated Jacksonville State 4-0 to win in Conference USA opener at the Jacksonville State Sports Complex. Garner assisted on each of the opening two goals from Halle Engle and Avery Paulson. On September 15, the Flames played to a scoreless tie with UNC Greensboro in Greensboro. Garner started and played 64 minutes, firing one shot. Liberty is 9-1-2 overall, 1-1 in Conference USA. They will face UTEP on Thursday night. This season, Garner has started all 12 games and has scored two goals with five assists.

Emerson Talley: Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has risen to #11 in the country and remains undefeated. The Bears are 4-0-3 overall, 2-0-1 in the South Atlantic Conference. On Saturday, Lenoir-Rhyne defeated Wingate 1-0 at the Moretz-Sport Athletic Complex in Hickory. Talley started as a forward and played all 90 minutes, firing one shot on goal. On September 25, Lenoir-Rhyne played to a 2-2 tie with #4 Columbus State. Talley played all 90 minutes and got off one shot. On September 21, Talley assisted on a goal in a 5-0 win over Emory & Henry. Talley had a helper on a goal from Montana Martin. Lenoir-Rhyne will face Anderson College on Wednesday night in Hickory.

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“I like what you’re doing here. Keep it up.”

The words from Western Alamance head coach Jeff Snuffer to Orange head coach DeVante Pettiford following the postgame handshake served as a boost of confidence. Following a dismal performance on September 23 against Montgomery Central, a 46-6 loss at Wolves Den Stadium in Troy, Pettiford wanted to see more fight from his team in its Central Conference opener at Auman Stadium last Friday.

Orange hasn’t defeated an Alamance County team in league play since the Central Conference formed in 2021. While they’re still waiting for that elusive victory, Pettiford could only walk off the field proud of his team that played without its top two skill players, both of whom were injured against Montgomery Central.

It was the Warriors who had the deeper team, nearly twice as many players as the Panthers. In the end, the Warriors successfully made it a battle of manpower in a 24-7 victory, its third straight over the Panthers. Snuffer continued to run fullback Jordan Hall and H-back Esaiah Slade against a depleted Orange defensive front. While linebackers Deandre Brown and Nahjour Kenion, among others, were limping at the end as the clock drifted away, they refused to go down.

“We have a lot of things to improve on, but I felt like we were the more physical team,” Pettiford said. “I felt like we fought, we kept getting after it. We saw some things go our way on offense, we just have to get out of our own way. Whenever we have a chance to make the big play, that’s when we start to drop the ball. In terms of effort, it was like night and day compared to last week.”

James Newton, a wide receiver who has committed to Gardner-Webb, finished with 61 yard receiving and a touchdown. Warriors sophomore quarterback Ethan Oakley threw for a career-high 15 completions for 230 yards.

Orange did get a glimpse of its future when freshman wide receiver Owen Phillips caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyse Devore, who was making his first career start in place of injured senior Hank Nunnery. The score tied the game at 7-7 with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.

As has been the case for much of this year, it was 3rd downs that proved to be Orange’s downfall. Western Alamance overcame two holding penalties on its opening scoring drive. On 3rd-and-16 from the Warriors 38-yard line, Oakley found senior Will Clinkscales for a 35-yard gain to the Orange 27-yard line. On 2nd-and-10 from the Panther 13-yard line, Oakley hit Newton in the left corner of the end zone for the opening score.

The Panthers were 0-for-9 on 3rd down conversions. The Warriors were 6-for-12.

“We just have to focus more when it’s time to get off the field,” Pettiford said. “That’s something that we as coaches have to do a better job of communicating. They have a Division I receiver over there (Newton). He’s the real deal.”

Following Phillips touchdown, the game remain tied until there was 1:54 remaining in the first half. Oakley engineered an eight-play, 47-yard drive, where the biggest play came on a 3rd-and-6 when he found Clinkscales again for eight yards. On the next play, running back Collin Moylan took advantage of an extra tug from his left tackle to get around end and run into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. Camden Oliveira’s extra point put the Warriors ahead 14-7.

The Warriors exercised the clock perfectly in the final drive of the first half. Oakley hit Colten Hill for 16 yards on 3rd-and-10, leading to a 43-yard field goal from Oliveira that cleared the uprights by plenty.

Western Alamance’s Elijah Slade scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half from four yards out with 8:57 remaining in the third quarter, the game’s final score.

Orange crossed the 50-yard line once in the second half, but the drive stalled when Deandre Brown was thrown for a loss on 4th-and-9 from the Warriors 37-yard line.

WESTERN ALAMANCE 24, ORANGE 7

WA-7   10    7    0-24

OR-7     0     0     0-7

WA–James Newton 13 pass from Ethan Oakley (Nathan Oliveira kick)

OR-Owen Phillips 81 pass from Kyse Devore (Will Cooper kick)

WA–Collin Moyland 11 run (Oliveira kick)

WA–Esaiah Slade 4 run (Oliveria kick)

RUSHING–WESTERN ALAMANCE 34-150 2 TD (Jordan Hall 16-70, Oakley 8-39, Newton 3-12, Moylan 2-11 TD, E. Slade 2-9 TD, Asaiah Slade 2-5, Riley Poteat 1-4)

ORANGE: 20-19 (Deandre Brown 8-35, Kayden Bradsher 2-5, Garrett Sawyer 2-0, team 1-(-9), Devore 7-(-12)

PASSING: WESTERN ALAMANCE (Oakley 15-23 233 TD) ORANGE (Devore 8-19 147, TD INT)

RECEIVING: WESTERN ALAMANCE (Newton 4-61 TD, Hamilton Plunkett 4-52, Will Clinkscales 3-46, Colten Hill 2-56, E. Slade 2-15)

ORANGE: (Phillips 2-92 TD, Brown 2-34, Kingston Purefoy Farrington 2-11, Hunter Albert 1-6, Jayden Medley 1-4)