DIVISION IV : Punt Strategy Pays Off for Orange

The wind blew in Orange’s favor as the Panthers took a time out with 13 seconds left in the third quarter to force a Moreno Valley Canyon Springs punt. The ploy worked as the Panthers went on to defeat the Cougars, 19-7, Friday night at El Modena High.

The victory advances Orange into the second round of the Division IV playoffs against Corona del Mar.

The visiting Cougars punted into the wind and netted only 13 yards to give Orange, down 7-6, the ball on Canyon Springs’ 28 to open the fourth quarter. It took seven plays before quarterback Andy Lauridsen scored from the one on a sweep to give the Panthers the lead for the first time.

“The wind definitely played a factor in the contest,” said Orange Coach Buddy Bland. “You could tell the way the passes were going.”

The winning drive featured two of the four successful pass completions for the Panthers, who stuck mostly on the ground, which meant Jamie Worthem. Worthem carried the ball 31 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns for Orange.

The Cougars (8-3) scored the first time they had the ball on a three-yard touchdown run by Marcelle Williams and a Xavier Acosta extra point. Orange came back on a 73-yard scoring drive, with Worthem blasting over from 36 yards. The conversion try failed.

The Panthers scored an insurance touchdown with 1 minute 1 second left when Canyon Springs gave Orange the ball on its own nine on downs. Worthem scored from the one.