Orange County Prep Saturday : Orange Puts Things Together Against Canyon

Orange High School, off to a shaky start this season, got its offense in gear Friday evening and rolled over Canyon, 33-6, in a nonleague game in Orange’s Fred Kelly Stadium.

Orange, the defending Pacific Coast League champion, had lost three of its first four nonleague games before Friday’s victory.

“We needed this win awfully bad,” said Orange Coach Mark McMahon. “We have a lot of problems, but our kids are working harder than ever to improve.”

Orange (2-3) got its act together early in the game. Running back Paul Maund scored on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage, a 56-yard run off right tackle.

Maund also scored late in the third quarter on a one-yard run that put the game out of reach. He rushed for 110 yards in 18 carries.

Junior quarterback Scott McMahon, the coach’s son, had an outstanding evening. He threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a score. He tossed a six-yard pass to Paul Minor midway through the second quarter for a touchdown, and connected with Eric Lawson for a 47-yard score on Orange’s next possession to put the Panthers ahead, 19-3.

“I knew we would have a tough time starting out,” said McMahon. “Our tough nonleague schedule has prepared us well for the regular season.”

Canyon (2-3) turned the ball over twice in Orange territory. The Comanches’ only offense was supplied by Fernando Sumaya, with field goals of 27 and 29 yards.

Canyon tailback Eddie Washington rushed for 93 yards in 10 carries, and Dale LaRue gained 82 yards in 15 carries.