Orange Can’t Angle a Victory, Ties Saddleback

An attempt by Orange to play the angles on what would have been a game-winning field goal misfired Saturday night, forcing the Panthers to settle for a 14-14 tie with visiting Saddlebackin a nonleague football game at El Modena High School.

On third down with 14 seconds left and the ball on the right hashmark of the 10-yard line, Orange holder David Chavez deliberately muffed the ball on the 17-yard line to give placekicker Micah Knorr a better angle on a subsequent 34-yard field goal attempt.

But Knorr’s attempt with eight seconds remaining sailed wide right, leaving both teams winless at 0-1-1 for the season.

Orange took a 14-0 halftime lead on touchdown passes of 10 and 21 yards from quarterback Noah Kimbwala to Aaron Tavernier and Chavez in the closing minutes of the second quarter.

Saddleback’s offense finally jelled in the third quarter when sophomore Danny Ruvolo took over at quarterback. Ruvolo drove the Roadrunners to the four-yard line, setting up a four-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Sal Aguilar, but Julio Orozco’s kick failed and Orange led, 14-6.

Ruvolo’s interception of Kimbwala’s pass and 10-yard return to the Orange 33 in the third quarter set up the tying score, an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ruvolo to Gus Tinajero and a two-point conversion pass to tight end George Arceo.