Orange Football

From 2013-to-2017, the Orange football team won 24 consecutive non-conference games. Five of them were against Riverside.

After a 3-8 season in 2018, Orange has lost nine of its last ten nonconference games. Not only that, but shortly after walking into Linny Wrenn Stadium in Durham, they felt something that an Orange team hadn’t felt in a long time.

The feeling of being overlooked. And maybe a hint of disrespect.

After a decade largely spent as a sleeping giant, Riverside has become the hottest team in Durham. Four days after the Pirates defeated Orange last November, the Pirates topped Jordan to win the Triangle 8 Championship, its first since 2002.

Coming off its first win over Northern Durham since 2013, Riverside’s noncoference finale against Orange received enough votes from local high school fans as one media outlet’s game of the week.

The days of Orange’s three consecutive Big 8 Championships from 2015-17 seemed to have faded from the memories of local journalists and fans, many of whom treated the Panthers as an afterthought in Friday’s game. Especially compared to Riverside’s 3-1 start where they averaged 40 points per game.

That wasn’t lost on Orange’s coaches in the days leading up to Friday night’s game, and certainly not in the moments before kickoff. And while the final result wasn’t precisely to Orange’s liking, it led to easily the most inspired Panther effort of the season.

In the end, Riverside junior quarterback Landin Sledge threw for four touchdowns and 286 yards as the Pirates defeated Orange 28-26 at Wrenn Stadium in Durham. Sledge’s 12-yard touchdown to Quentin Freeman early in the fourth quarter was the game-winner as the Pirates (3-1) won its nonconference finale.

Sledge, a junior, now has 21 touchdowns against only two interceptions this season. In all five of Riverside’s games, he has at least four touchdown passes (he had five against Person).

Orange (1-3) got a late touchdown pass from Wyatt Jones to Daniel Champion, which came after deliberations by the officials that lasted in excess of one minute. Nigel Slanker’s extra point cut Orange’s deficit to 28-26, but the subsequent onside kick went out of bounds with :14 remaining.

After watching his defense hold Riverside to a season-low 285 yards (including minus-1 yard rushing), Orange coach Van Smith appeared more eager to play another four quarters instead of content to call it a night. His postgame interview lacked the fervor of your average Ric Flair promo from the 1980s, but only slightly.

“When I walked up to this stadium tonight, nobody gave us a chance to win this football game tonight,” Smith said, firing off his words at the pace of a machine gun. “If they want to strap up again and play tomorrow, I’m ready right now. I’m so dadgum excited how far we’ve come in a few weeks, I’m ready to play again tomorrow if we have to.”

Orange succeeded in taking away Riverside’s running game in the first half. Pirates running back Dante McCall, who averaged 86 rushing yards per game, was held to a season low four yards. By Riverside’s final drive of the second half, they eschewed running plays out of a standard spread set and simply employed Sledge out of an empty backfield with five wide receivers for most of the rest of the game.

It worked. After falling behind 13-6 late in the first half, Riverside scored back-to-back touchdowns to lead the rest of the way. On their final possession of the first half, Riverside went 71 yards in four plays. Sledge hit Cory Jones for a 23-yard touchdown pass, then found Isiah Jones for the two-point play to put the Pirates head 14-13 going into the locker room.

In a chippy game where the two teams combined for 240 penalty yards, Sledge found Cory Jones for a 60-yard gain on 2nd-and-13 after a holding penalty backed the Pirates up. Following three straight incompletions, Sledge hit Isaiah Jones for a 15-yard touchdown on 4th-and-10. Caleb Bowers extra point put Riverside ahead 21-13.

Orange’s defense, which forced four turnovers in its win over Williams last week, forced three more on Friday, leading to 14 points. Late in the third quarter, senior defensive end James McAdoo recovered a fumble after a botched Riverside snap.

“I thought James McAdoo had a motor that didn’t stop,” Smith said. “It was his second game this season and he wouldn’t quit. I think that has been missing.”

Senior Machai Holt ran around right end for his third touchdown of the season. Orange attempted to tie the game, but Wyatt Jones’s pass to Zyon Pettiford was wide.

Sledge found Freeman for the game-winning score on the next drive.

“It was like playing a freaking all-star team” Smith said of Riverside. “Good gracious. They had a 6-foot-5 receiver lining up against my 5-foot-6 cornerback. That means something.”

Riverside opened with a 12-play, 67-yard drive that took 5:47 off the first quarter clock. Sledge found Isaiah Jones for a 26-yard gain to break into the Orange red zone. Consecutive stops by Orange’s Khaleb Smith and Caulin Fransler forced a 4th-and-goal from the three, when Sledge found Isaiah Jones again for a 3-yard score.

Orange, on its first possession of the game, took up the rest of the first quarter clock with a 12-play, 52-yard drive, which was kept alive after Riverside was called for roughing the passer on 4th-and-6. Slanker kicked a 30-yard field goal to mow the Pirate lead in half.

The Panthers won a battle of field position to even the game in the second quarter. Following a Riverside punt that was nearly blocked, Holt ran around right tackle for ten yards. It ended when Slanker kicked a 33-yard field goal.

On the next Riverside drive, McAdoo stripped the ball away from Sledge, and Orange’s Will Torain pounced on the loose ball.

On a third-and-goal, Holt followed the blocks of Juan Navarro and Robert Bray into the end zone to give Orange its only lead of the night late in the second quarter.

For the second week in a row, Orange couldn’t continue drives when its defense gave them opportunities. The Panthers were 3-of-13 on 3rd downs after going 3-of-12 in the Williams’ win.

As Orange ventures into its Big 8 opener against East Chapel Hill next Friday, time will tell if the emotion of Friday night was a one-night stand or something that can propel Orange to its glory days that may not be as far in the rear view mirror as some would believe.

RIVERSIDE 28, ORANGE 26

RIV–Isaiah Jones 12 pass from Landin Sledge (kick blocked)

ORA-Nigel Slanker 30 FG

ORA-Slanker 33 FG

ORA-Machai Holt 2 TD (Slanker kick)

RIV-Troy Jones 23 pass from Sledge (Sledge to I. Jones)

RIV-I. Jones 13 pass from Sledge (Caleb Bowers kick)

ORA-Holt 1 run (pass failed)

RIV-Quinton Freeman 12 pass from Sledge (Bowers kick)

ORA-Daniel Champion 20 pass from Wyatt Jones (Slanker kick)

RUSHING: Riverside 19-(-1 yard) (Sledge 7-8, Dante McCall 7-4, Devin Smith 2-(minus 2), fumble 2-(minus-10), team 1-(minus 1)

ORANGE: 36-116 2 TD (Omarion Lewis 13-55, Holt 13-46 2 TD, Jones 2-9, Elliott Woods 4-6, Jake DeFranco 1-1)

PASSING: RIVERSIDE (Sledge 18-24 286 yards 4 TD, INT)

ORANGE: (Jones 10-25 156 TD, INT)

RECEIVING: RIVERSIDE (I. Jones 7-110 2 TD, Freeman 6-62 TD, Smith 3-31, T. Jones 2-83 TD)

ORANGE: (Holt 3-45, DeFranco 2-63, Woods 2-9, Champion 1-10 TD, Zyon Pettiford 1-14, Khaleb Smith 1-8)

In a defensive battle at Auman Stadium on Thursday night, the Orange junior varsity football team grabbed its first win of the season, beating Riverside 14-6. The play of the night came from freshman Ronald Cooper, who returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. It was a strong night for Orange defensive tackle Kameron Harshaw, who finished with four tackles for loss. Panther sophomore Jackson Wood also piled up the tackles as Orange improved to 1-1. Orange is scheduled to start its Big 8 Conference schedule on October 10 against Northern Durham at Durham County Stadium. For the record, Erick Villines was the head coach of the JV squad on Thursday night. 

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is nose tackle/fullback Courtney Edwards. On Friday night, Edwards scored his first varsity touchdown on a 4-yard carry, sparking Orange’s 21-13 victory over Williams. The Panthers trailed 13-0 late in the first half. On defense, Edwards anchored a defensive line that limited the Bulldogs to 86 yards in the second half. Edwards had six tackles and a tackle for loss. Against South Granville, Edwards had four tackles, including two for a loss. A senior, Edwards hopes to lead the Panthers back into the postseason. He’s now in his second year on the varsity. Last year, as a starting nose tackle, Edwards had 51 tackles, including nine for losses. Orange returns to action at Riverside on Friday night. 

Would it be a stretch to say that last week was the most successful fall sports week at Cedar Ridge in years? Not at all.

In fact, it may be an understatement.

In 2016, the Cedar Ridge women’s tennis team won the Big 8 Conference Championship. The Red Wolves football team finished 6-5, the last time they had a winning season.

But to find a week with as many signature wins that register on a state level, you would have to go back to 2015, when the Red Wolves defeated Topsail and Lee County in the 3A State Volleyball playoffs. The Red Wolves hosted the 3A Eastern Regional championship match, where they lost to Asheboro in four sets.

A year after finishing 7-15, the Red Wolves put themselves in contention to win the Big 8 Championship with wins over Chapel Hill and Orange last week. Of course, it’s early. The Red Wolves are 3-0 and have eleven conference games remaining. But with freshmen Cameron Lloyd, Julie Altieri and Cameron Lanier leading the way, the Red Wolves will reach nine wins with a win tonight against Bartlett Yancey in Hillsborough. Keep in mind that after reaching the East final in 2015, Cedar Ridge hasn’t won nine games in a season.

Of course, it wasn’t just a volleyball week. Here’s our Magnificent Seven for a memorable Week 4. Keep in mind that of these seven athletes, one from each school will be chosen for the Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week and the Orange Panther of the Week. Those choices will be revealed tomorrow.

1. Julie Altieri: In a 3-2 win for Cedar Ridge over Orange on Thursday, Altieri had eight aces, seven kills, nine digs and 28 assists. She also had the game-winning ace on match point to secure the Red Wolves’ first win over the Lady Panthers since 2016. It was their first win over Orange since 2015.
2. Brandon Garcia: Though the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team had a disappointing week with losses to Bartlett Yancey and Northwood, Garcia continues to excel. He now has a seven-game scoring streak to start the season. Garcia scored on a penalty kick against Northwood on Thursday in Hillsborough. Against the Buccaneers in Yanceyville, he scored the equalizing goal as the Red Wolves fought back from a 2-nil deficit to even the match against B-Y.
3. Nora Sauers: Earned wins in singles and in doubles as Cedar Ridge women’s tennis team defeated Vance County to improve to 6-3 overall on the season. Sauers also won two matches against Northern Durham on September 3.
4. Courtney Edwards: Six tackles, including one for a loss, for the Orange football team’s 21-13 win over Williams on Friday night. Edwards also scored his first varsity touchdown on a 4th-and-inches from the Williams 4-yard line late in the first half after Orange fell behind 13-0. It was Edwards’ first touchdown since his Pop Warner days.
5. Elliott Woods: The Orange wingback/linebacker was a iron man against Williams. He had a team-high eleven tackles. Woods also had a key 19-yard reception on a 3rd-and-4 early in the third quarter, which was Orange’s first 3rd down conversion in the game. Woods finished with 59 yards from scrimmage.
6. Halle Boroski: The Orange women’s tennis team defeated Southern Alamance and Northern Durham last week. Boroski won at #6 singles 6-3, 6-4, then teamed with Ashley Behringer to win at #3 doubles 8-4. Against the Patriots, Boroski captured her singles match 6-3, 6-4. In doubles, once again she teamed with Behringer to win 8-4.
7. Avery Miller: The Orange sophomore outside hitter had a team-high eleven kills as the Orange volleyball team defeated Vance County 3-0 in the first-ever match between the two teams. Miller also had four digs. Earlier this year, Miller had eleven kills against Person.

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.

1. 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.

Orange’s 21-13 win over Williams on Friday night not only ended a five-game losing streak. It was the largest come-from-behind win for Orange since 2014, when they rallied from a 17-3 deficit to beat Chapel Hill. The game marked the first varsity touchdown for fullback Courtney Edwards and the return of Jake DeFranco to the Panther lineup. Enjoy video highlights from Thompson Team Films. And enjoy more video by going to Thompsonteamfilms.com. Thompson Team Films has helped many athletes reach the college level by spreading video to recruiters across the country.

Bryse Wilson: As the Atlanta Braves are on the verge of a 2nd consecutive National League East Division Championship, Wilson was recalled to the Major Leagues on Friday. It’s Wilson’s sixth stint in Atlanta this year. The 21-year-old has a 7.20 ERA in 20 Major League innings this season. Wilson was named the Pitcher of the Year by the Gwinnett Stripers of the AAA International League last week. He helped the Stripers to the International League Southern Division championship. Wilson finished 10-7 with a 3.42 ERA this season in Gwinnett. After July 21, Wilson won six consecutive games to push Gwinnett past Durham in the International League standings. On Saturday, Atlanta clinched a playoff birth with a 10-1 win over the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park. Entering Sunday, the Braves’ magic number to win the division is four. Wilson completed the 2018 regular season on the Atlanta roster after starting the season with the Florida Fire Frogs of the Florida State League.

Payton Wilson: Wilson had three tackles as N.C. State’s football team fell to West Virginia 44-27 at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV on Saturday. Wilson also had his first college rushing attempt, running for nine yards on a fake punt to convert a 4th-and-4th in the final quarter. He didn’t start at linebacker as the Wolfpack dropped to 2-1.

Trent Gill: The former Cedar Ridge Red Wolf had three punts against West Virginia, averaging 49 yards per boot. His longest punt was 61 yards. Gill also had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter, leading to a Mountaineer touchdown. N.C. State will try to bounce back against Ball State at Carter-Finley Stadium next Saturday night.

Kayla Hodges: Hodges scored her first college goal in Elon’s 5-0 win over UNC Asheville at Rudd Field in Elon last Sunday. She headed in a cross sent in by Hannah Doherty to help the Phoenix surpass its win total from last seaon. Hodges had three shots against the Bulldogs. On Thursday, Hodges started at midfield in Elon’s 1-1 tie with Liberty. She fired a shot on net, which was stopped by Flames goalkeeper Melody Jayroe. Elon is 5-1-1 after finishing 3-10-4 in 2018.

Taylin Jean: The former Cedar Ridge goalkeeper not only earned her first college win for Division II Limestone, she also posted her first clean sheet. The Saints defeated Chowan 2-0 at Saints Field in Gaffney, S.C. on Saturday. Chowan only got one shot off in the match. Limestone is now 1-2. Jean has started all three of the Saints’ matches this season.

Brittany Daley: The Division III Greensboro women’s soccer team won its fifth straight game on Saturday, beating Marymount (VA) 5-0 at Pride Field in Greensboro. Daley started at centerback, her sixth start this season. Greensboro is 5-1.

Jordan Rogers: On Tuesday, Division III William Peace defeated Hollins 6-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. It was the Pacers’ first win of the season. Peace fired a whopping 44 shots. Rogers started at wingback. She has started all three of the Pacers’ matches. Peace is 1-2.

Lionel Reid-Shaw: On Saturday, the Division III Dickinson men’s soccer team lost to Catholic 1-0 in Carlisle, PA. Reid-Shaw entered the game as a reserve. On Wednesday, Reid-Shaw started at midfield as Messiah defeated the Red Devils 3-1 in Grantham, PA. Dickinson has dropped three straight and is 2-3.

Lili Henry: After a trip to Salem, VA was postponed last week because of Hurricane Dorian, the Division III Methodist volleyball team returned to action on Friday in Greenville, S.C. The Monarchs dropped two matches at Bob Jones University. The Monarchs lost 3-0 to Erskine. Henry had 21 assists against the Flying Fleet, along with four digs and one kill. Bob Jones defeated the Monarchs 3-0. Against the Bruins, Henry was credited with one ace, one kill and one assist. The Monarchs are 0-6.

Bailey Lucas: The Division III Meredith Avenging Angels volleyball team finished 1-2 during a tournament at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. On Friday, Meredith defeated Emory & Henry 3-0. On Saturday, Franklin & Marshall topped Meredith 3-1. In the nightcap, Marymount knocked off Meredith 3-1. Lucas played against Marymount and had 12 assists, one kill, two aces and ten digs.

Wyatt Jones’ elusiveness helped the Orange football team to its first win of 2019 Friday night. Jones converted a crucial 4th down in the third quarter with a five-yard run, leading to Omarion Lewis 4-yard touchdown run that turned out to be the game-winning score.  Jones later scored on a quarterback sneak in the 4th quarter for the game’s final touchdown. In addition to being Orange’s starting quarterback the past two years, Jones is also an All-Conference lacrosse player who helped the Panthers to a win in the state playoffs over Northside-Jacksonville last May.