Cherrington Sparks Santa Ana Valley

Scott Orloff has spent much of the season trying to convince his young Santa Ana Valley team that if it played hard for an entire game, good things could happen.

The message came through loud and clear Thursday as the Falcons ruined Orange’s homecoming with a 28-21 Century League victory at El Modena High.

The biggest gate crasher was workhorse running back Dwayne Cherrington, who rushed for 190 yards--137 of which came in the first half--and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 95 yards for another score with about 10 minutes left in the game that gave Santa Ana Valley (3-4, 1-1) its ultimate margin of victory. Cherrington later said it was “our biggest win.”

“He is definitely a Division I (college) back,” Orloff said. “He’s run behind a young line all season, but he’s helped us come together as a team.”

Orange (4-3, 1-1) had productive performances, too. Markus Garza gained 158 yards and scored a touchdown, and Sam Cureton added 51 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Andy Lauridsen had an off night throwing, completing only seven passes, but one was a 15-yard scoring toss to Anthony Adame with 1:19 to play.

But Santa Ana Valley recovered the ensuing onside kick, and hung on for the upset.

Santa Ana Valley took the lead for good in the second quarter after a Lauridsen pass was intercepted in the end zone. On the seven-play, 80-yard drive, Cherrington controlled six plays. The two biggest carries were a 54-yard gain that took the ball from the Falcons’ 21 to the Panthers’ 25, and a three-yard run for a touchdown with 38 seconds remaining.