ORANGE – With a tough ground game and stout defense, Orange dominated the line of scrimmage Friday night as the Panthers beat Costa Mesa, 43-0, in a nonleague game at El Modena High.
All offseason, Orange coach Robert Pedroza said he preached about using his big seniors up front on offense and on defense.
“We got big boys up there that have busted their butt weightlifting and grinding, and that’s what we’re about. And they took over tonight,” Pedroza said.
Costa Mesa quarterback Ben Swanson spent a good amount of time on his back, falling for a loss of yards nine times.
The Orange defense allowed Costa Mesa (0-1) 83 yards while only giving up 1 rushing yard.
Orange (1-0) used a committee of running backs to plow through the Costa Mesa defense, rushing for 295 yards.
Running back Aaron Murray rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while quarterback Miguel Orendain rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown. Orendain scored on a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Murray plowed for a 14-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give Orange a comfortable halftime lead.
Brandon Warren ran for a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give the Panthers a 43-0 lead.
Swanson completed 9 of 22 passes for 82 yards for Costa Mesa.
