The Orange football team won just two games last season with a team that featured several freshmen and sophomores at key positions.
This season, the Panthers still have a very young roster and but are faring much better with a 4-2 record. Orange beat Fountain Valley 52-14 in its Foxtrot League opener last week.
(Photos by Karen Tapia, Contributing Photographer)
Orange’s starting quarterback is a sophomore. Its five leading rushers and three leading receivers are all underclassmen as well as is its leading tackler.
“The good thing about them being young is they are all on the same page and get along really well,” Orange coach Robert Pedroza said. “You have your ups and downs being so young, a lot of first varsity games and things like that. But they are very talented and we look forward to staying on the right path and trying to get into the playoffs.”
Sophomore quarterback Star Thomas is averaging 280 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions through six games. He also leads the Panthers in rushing with 527 yards and four touchdowns.
Thomas was the team’s starter as a freshman in 2024, but he didn’t have the running ability in his arsenal and he turned the ball over more frequently.
“He put on about 22 pounds in the offseason and increased his speed so he became more of a runner this year for us,” Pedroza said. “The running capability has a lot of teams trying to figure out whether to stop his running or his passing. We count on him to do a lot of stuff for us on offense and he’s the type of kid who wants all that.”
Orange had been dominant in the Orange Coast League with four league titles in five years prior to joining the Foxtrot League last season. The level of competition is significantly higher for Orange in the Foxtrot League than in the former Orange Coast League.
The Panthers won two league games in 2024 and have their eyes set on earning a top three spot in the league standings this season.
“It’s a huge test to be up in this league and this is where we wanted to be. We wanted to keep moving up,” Pedroza said. “The coaching staffs in this league are so good, you have to be on your ‘A’ game every night you come out. I really like where our team is right now with our chemistry and team morale.”
Orange has its toughest test of the season so far against undefeated Dana Hills (6-0) on Friday night. Dana Hills beat Orange 35-14 last season.
“It’s hard to find a weakness with Dana Hills, which is why they are so good and ranked so highly,” Pedroza said. “Our kids are hungry and it’s a huge test to see where our program is right now. I’m excited for it.”
MUSTANG MAGIC
Costa Mesa is averaging 46 points per game this season and is off to a 5-1 start.
The Mustangs are led by their excellent offensive line and the county’s second leading rusher, Gavin Garza, who has 1,045 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.
“Gavin is an incredibly gifted football player with a stellar work ethic,” Costa Mesa coach Gary Gonzalez said. “His ability to stay low and bounce off defenders is incredible. Our offensive line is a special group who has been playing together since their freshman year. This unit is special.”
Costa Mesa’s offensive line features Israel Lopez, Jaime Gutierrez, Sebastian Suarez, Yosgart Munoz and William Wedgwood.
The Mustangs have a potential league championship game this Friday against Anaheim in the Tango League. Costa Mesa lost to Anaheim 28-6 last season.
“Anaheim is a tough team with an exceptional defensive line that can cause problems to any offense if they’re not prepared,” Gonzalez said. “They are the defending Tango league champions. They are not going to give away that title. It has to be taken away from them, and they will make us earn it. We have incredible respect for them and what they do over there.”
QUICK HITS
• Beckman is on a two-game winning streak after a 1-3 start to the season. Makhi Czaykowski ran for 165 yards with four touchdowns last week in Beckman’s win over Fullerton and Noah Nam threw for 200 yards. Beckman plays Sunny Hills Friday in a game with Lambda League title implications.
• San Juan Hills hosts Yorba Linda in a crucial Bravo League game Friday. Stallions running back Elijah Ayala ran for 100 yards with two touchdowns last season in their 26-16 win over Yorba Linda.
• The Kappa League game between Esperanza and Segerstrom is a clash of styles. Esperanza quarterback Travis Frazier is the eighth leading passer in the county with 1,424 yards. Segerstrom is averaging 265 yards per game on the ground with 18 touchdowns, and 11 of those touchdowns belong to senior Ayden Morales.
• Servite got its lone Trinity League win against JSerra last season. Linebacker Isaiah Leilua led the Friars with nine tackles in that game. Tristin Real had a sack, an interception and a forced fumble for Servite. Servite hosts JSerra on Friday at Cerritos College.
Fryer on Football: Previews and predictions for Week 7’s top games
Video: Steve Fryer and Dan Albano make their Week 7 football predictions