Orange County Prep Football : Orange Still Winless in League Play : Lane’s Passing Rallies Laguna Beach to a 35-14 Victory

It has been a difficult season for Mark McMahon, Orange High School football coach, and it’s getting worse.

The defending Pacific Coast League champions had high expectations entering the season, but so far things haven’t worked out. Friday evening in Fred Kelly Stadium at Orange exemplified how tough things have been for the Panthers.

Orange built a 14-0, first-quarter lead only to see senior quarterback Danny Lane throw three touchdown passes to lead Laguna Beach to a 35-14 victory.

Lane, the county’s second leading passer, threw second-half scoring passes to Mark Wells for 12 yards, Broc Stephens for 11 yards and Pete Schmitt for 13 yards to rally the Artists (7-1, 3-0).

Lane completed 18 of 22 passes for 239 yards.

“Defense has been the problem all season,” McMahon said. “We knew Lane was good. We’re just not big enough or fast enough to stop him.”

Laguna Beach’s other touchdowns came on a two-yard run by Wells midway through the second quarter and a 60-yard fumble return by J. C. O’Donnell midway through the fourth quarter.

Orange (2-6, 0-3) converted two Laguna Beach fumbles into touchdowns. Richard Valenzuela scored on a one-yard run off right tackle after Corey Pierce recovered an Artist fumble on the Laguna Beach 27. The second turnover was a fumble by Stephens at the Artist 43. Four plays later, Scott McMahon threw to Paul Maund, who carried it in from 10 yards out.

“Our game plan was to go upstairs with the football,” Laguna Beach Coach Lyman Olney said. “Lane did a great job tonight picking out receivers.”

Stephens caught 7 passes for 92 yards and Schmitt caught 5 for 76 yards. Orange’s Maund rushed for 60 yards in 13 carries, and McMahon was 14 of 23 for 137 yards and 1 interception.