Fourth-Quarter Safety, Touchdown Help Orange Beat Santa Ynez, 15-14

In a strange twist of events, Orange High School rallied to beat Santa Ynez, 15-14, Friday night in a Division VIII playoff game at El Modena High.

Behind 14-7 late in the third quarter, the Panthers drove from their 48-yard line to the Santa Ynez 1. But on four consecutive plays early in the fourth quarter, Orange running back Brian Remmel ran into the line and was stopped for no gain.

Santa Ynez took over on downs and Orange appeared to be in trouble.

But on the next play, Orange linebackers Paul Minor and Tony Wilson blitzed and caught Santa Ynez quarterback Ryan Dowhower in the end zone. Dowhower pitched to running back Matt Halme who was tackled by a swarm of Panthers for a safety.

Aaron Shahrestani returned the free kick after the safety 39 yards to the Santa Ynez 31. Remmel then gained 20 yards up the middle to set up an 11-yard touchdown run by fullback Minor. The Panthers’ two-point conversion attempt failed.

With the victory, the Panthers (9-2-1) advanced to the Division VIII semifinals next Friday against Agoura, which defeated Laguna Hills, 14-7.

The Pirates, who finished the season 10-2, are known for their defense against the run and in the first half they shut down the Orange ground game.

But Orange’s turnovers and two penalties allowed Santa Ynez to take a 14-7 halftime lead.

On the Pirates first touchdown drive, Orange was called for two 15-yard penalties and Halme threw a 37-yard halfback pass to David Scoggin, and a 15-yard penalty was added for a late hit. Santa Ynez quarterback Dowhower then threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to Scoggin.

The next Pirate touchdown, on the second carry of the year for 6-1, 260-pound lineman Jason Klitgaard , came after lateral by Orange quarterback Chris Thompson was recovered by the Pirates.