Bryan Fausto of Orange returns a fumble for a touchdown to start the second half. (Photos Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Orange High’s football team entered Thursday night’s nonleague game against Westminster with a reputation of having an offense that puts up big numbers.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
The Panthers, who are ranked No. 5 in Division 10, are averaging more than 50 points per game and they preserved their offensive elite status with a 76-7 victory over the Lions at Westminster High.
Panthers quarterback Daylen Pedroza threw a career-high five touchdown passes as the Orange offense was virtually unstoppable. Pedroza completed 9 of 10 passes for 292 yards as the Panthers improved to 3-1. Orange ran only 12 plays in the first half and took a commanding 48-0 lead at the break.
“The O-line was blocking really well and giving me a big pocket to work with,” said Pedroza, a junior. “(Andrew) Andrade is my go-to guy and (Isacc) Galvan who is a running back had a big night catching the ball tonight. This win gives us a big boost.”
It took Orange just three plays to get on the board on their first possession of the game. Pedroza hit Isac Adetoye for a 15-yard TD pass to give the Panthers a quick 6-0 lead. On an attempted punt, following a Westminster three-and-out, Orange recorded a safety when the Lions snapped the ball out of the end zone on a fourth-down play and the Panthers took an 8-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Isacc Galvan used his speed as he weaved 68 yards for a touchdown and Orange led 16-0 after less than five minutes of play.
“Our passing game has improved because our Oline is giving Pedroza lots of time to throw,” said Galvan, who scored three touchdowns and caught four passes for 98 yards. “The team has built a bond and we’re playing well.”
Pedroza continued to have success completing long passes in seams over the middle of the field. He tossed TD passes of 75 yards to Galvan later in the first quarter and then threw three more TD passes in the second quarter – one to Galvan and two to Andrade.
“We executed our game plan and every game we’ve been doing that,” Andrade said. Andrade caught three passes for 80 yards and scored two TDs.
“In years past we have been a running team but we want to show that we can do both,” said Panthers coach Robert Pedroza. “Daylen {Pedroza) is a very good quarterback, he makes great reads and he’s been a leader for us. I think he might be a better runner than passer. We have to make sure that we continue to improve and that we are playing our best football at the end of the year.”
The Panthers did not attempt a rushing play in the first half until Pedroza was sacked on the final play of the half.
Westminster ran 42 plays in the first half to Orange’s 12.
The Panthers defense, led by Joe Aguilera, Jeremiah Rivera, Chris Quiroga and Jaydon Bonnafoux, held the Lions to negative yards rushing in the first half and sacked quarterback Justin Grey five times. They also forced three turnovers in the game.
“Coach Vasquez gave us a great game plan and we executed it,” said Bonnafoux. “We’ve played physical and our defense has limited our opponents”.
Despite a smothering defense, Lions QB Justin Grey still had some bright moments as he completed 14 passes for 139 yards a TD.
Orange continued the onslaught in the second half as the Panthers scored three touchdowns in the third quarter before running an offensive play.
Bryan Fausto picked up a fumble on a kickoff and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, then Isaiah Adetoye returned an interception 36 yards for a TD and Isac Adetoye returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
“It was my first Pick-6 of my career and it was exciting,” said Isaiah Adetoye.
The Lions got on the board midway through the third quarter when Grey threw a 16-yard TD pass to Isaac Amosa.
Westminster (0-4) has lost 15 consecutive games. Its last win came against St. Genevieve in November 2017.
“Orange is probably going to be one of the best teams we play this year,” Lions coach Willy Puga.
The Lions donned new red uniforms for the first time.
STATS
Passing: O: Pedroza 9-10-0, 292 yards, 5 TDs; W, Grey 14-25-3, 139 yards, TD
Rushing: O, Rivera 4-60; W, Haro 7-86
Receiving: O. Galvan 4-98, Andrade 3-80; W, Diaz 4-64, Molina 3-16.
-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
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