Orange football sprints past Irvine to claim share of Foxtrot League title

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Read more Prince Harry’s wife Meghan ‘deeply distressed’ by allegations her father had indecent images

ORANGE — Orange’s football team entered its game Thursday against Irvine with a chance to clinch at least a share of the Foxtrot League title and extend the best start in school history.

The Panthers wasted no time in their pursuit.

Star Thomas III tossed touchdowns of 79 and 72 yards to KJ Woodbury on Orange’s first two possessions and added a 37-yard strike to the wide receiver late in the first half to power the Panthers to a 55-17 victory at El Modena High.

Thomas threw two touchdowns in the second half to Dylan Stone en route to 423 yards and six touchdown passing.

Freshman running back Jeremiah Dunklin added 131 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Linemen Jayden Bracamontes and Sebastian Castro anchored the defense for Orange (9-0, 4-0), which held prolific Seamus Hoffman to 65 yards on 17 carries.

The Panthers, ranked No. 19 in Orange County and 49th in the state by HSratings.com, clinched at least a share of the title in the fifth-highest league in the Orange County Football Conference.

“It’s well-deserved for the kids and for the program and for the school but obviously that’s not our end goal,” Orange coach Robert Pedroza said. “We got higher accomplishments that we want to get to so we got to refocus up this week with one week left (in the regular season).”

The league crown arrived one week after the Panthers defeated Beckman 51-14 to notch the first 8-0 start in school history.

Orange’s explosive offense has fueled the start, which could land the team in Division 3 for the CIF-SS playoffs.

The Panthers entered Thursday with 361 points. The total ranked only behind Dana Hills (382) and Villa Park (373) in Orange County.

Read more Irvine Lake to be drained in preparation for El Niño and dam renovations

Thomas sparked Orange by tossing a 79-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Woodbury on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage.

The duo connected for a 72-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the Panthers’ second possession.

With 45 seconds left in the half, Woodbury made a spectacular leaping catch in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown. Juan Valenzuela added the extra point for a 27-10 halftime lead.

Orange’s offensive line, which included freshmen Cannon Trujillo and Kalil Clark and seniors Moises Holguin, Marley Holguin and Ray Urdenes, protected Thomas well against Irvine (6-3, 2-2)

“We’ve been working on that all offseason — just that camaraderie and chemistry,” said Thomas, who completed 16 of 21 passes. “Throughout these weeks, it’s been getting better and better.”

“We’re just trying to win a CIF title,” the junior added.

Woodbury, a junior, had five catches for 210 yards, and added an interception on defense.

Irvine finished the second quarter strong to cut into a 20-0 deficit.

Gavin Furr wrestled away the ball for an interception near midfield with 3:41 left in the first half. The junior then rolled out and threw a 25-yard TD to Hoffman with 1:05 left in the second quarter.

In the second half, Furr tossed a 27-yard touchdown to Kyle Fogarty on fourth down.

“The one thing I always think about our kids is they don’t quit,” Irvine coach Tom Ricci said. “I’m hoping we can get at least get an at-large (playoff berth) if we need to. Maybe on strength of schedule.”

Next week on Friday, Oct. 30, Orange closes the regular season and Foxtrot League at El Toro. Irvine finishes against El Dorado at Valencia High on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Read more Bear killings skyrocket as garbage, bird feeders draw them into conflict