Mayes’ Big Night Allows Orange to Roll Past Katella

Orange avoided an 0-3 start for the second consecutive season by defeating Katella, 34-13, Friday night at Glover Stadium.

Orange outscored Katella, 22-0, in the second half to erase a 13-12 halftime deficit. Orange quarterback James Starr completed 12 of 29 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Michael Chu rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries. However, the star of the game for Orange (1-2) was defensive back Chris Mayes.

Mayes had two interceptions and also blocked a punt. Each of Mayes’ standout defensive plays led to Panther touchdowns.

Mayes’ blocked punt early in the second half set Orange up at the Katella 15-yard line. Three plays later, Starr teamed with James Fraser on an eight-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion pass from Starr to Chu gave the Panthers the lead, 20-13.

Katella’s first play after the ensuing kickoff was fumbled and recovered by Panther defensive tackle Mike Kobus. Six plays later, Chu scored his first touchdown of the game from six yards out.

Chu scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter with 11 minutes remaining. Katella (2-1) started well, scoring on a 21-yard interception return by Oscar Vega in the first quarter.

But Mayes’ first interception in the second quarter set up a 74-yard touchdown pass from Starr to Derald Deason.