December 22, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

A look back at recent games in the Santa Ana vs. Orange rivalry, possibly ending this year

Santa Ana and Orange football teams are gearing up for Friday’s showdown. (Photos and Illustration: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

(Second in a series of previews for Friday’s game)

Santa Ana High School and Orange High School football teams have developed an intense rivalry over the years as they battle for supremacy in the Orange Coast League.

The game typically comes down to the final week of the season.

That will be the case again this year when the two teams meet at Fred Kelly Stadium Friday night at 7. Santa Ana has already clinched a share of the league title while Orange is looking to win a share of it with a victory.

This year’s game could be the last league meeting between the two teams with re-leaguing scheduled to take place next season. It’s possible the two could continue a non-league series which less on the line.

To read about this year’s game, click here:

OC Sports Zone has provided in-depth coverage of the game since it began publishing in Orange County in 2018. And it will again do that on Friday night with coverage by Fernando M. Donado, who has photographed all of these games written about two and writer Tom Connolly, who has covered others.

The 2020 match-up was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic which shut down high school sports and the game for that season was held in April with the Saints winning 36-34.

Here’s a look back at those games.

Story links

2018:

2019

2021 (April)

2021 (October)

2022

Check back later in the week for more coverage!