Orange County Prep Football : Trabuco Hills Bounces Back, 36-7

Trabuco Hills High School posted some impressive numbers in a 36-7 Pacific Coast League victory over Orange Saturday in front of 600 at Mission Viejo High School.

Quarterback Jim Barnes passed for 257 yards and 4 touchdowns, three of those to tight end Mark Barnes (no relation).

Cornerback Tim Manning intercepted three passes and linebacker Matt Davis had three sacks as Trabuco Hills (6-1 overall, 1-1 in league play) bounced back from last week’s 23-0 loss to Woodbridge. The Mustangs led, 29-0, at the half.

Orange (2-5, 0-2) scored its touchdown in the third quarter after a 40-yard interception return by linebacker Mike Banville set up the Panthers at the 20-yard line.

The Mustangs had 172 total yards in the first quarter as they built a 17-0 lead. The Barnes boys teamed for touchdown plays of 25 and 50 yards in the quarter.

Mark Barnes, who was shut out the previous week, caught 6 passes for 177 yards and also caught a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

“Mark is basically a wide receiver playing tight end,” said Jim Barnett, Trabuco Hills coach. “I think everybody forgot about him today.”

It was the second straight week Orange was burned by a receiver. Last week, Laguna Hills’ Brian Fleming caught 9 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Panthers.

“We don’t have much speed on the team,” said Mark McMahon, Orange coach. “(Paul) Maund is our fastest player, and he’s a fullback who runs a 4.9 in the 40.”

Maund, a 195-pound senior, is also Orange’s best player, but he injured his thigh early in the second quarter and gained only 28 yards in 10 carries.

Manning’s play continues to baffle opponents. Manning, a 15-year-old sophomore, leads the county with eight interceptions.

“He is an incredible player,” Barnett said. “It’s his poise more than his ability that amazes me. If teams are thinking they can take advantage of Tim because he’s only a sophomore, they had better re-evaluate their thinking.”