The Orange football team earned its first home win under head coach Fritz Hessenthaler on Friday night. Sophomore Markus Thomas rushed for 144 yards on 32 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Panthers defeated South Granville 16-8 at Auman Stadium. It was Orange’s first win over the Vikings since 2009. On a night where the Panthers rushed for over 200 yards, offensive lineman Wyatt Adams played his final game and helped the Panthers earn his first home win in over a year. Adams has started every game on the line this season. Orange’s defense pressured South Granville into mistakes throughout the game. The turning point came in the second quarter with Orange leading 8-0. The Vikings were driving and got into the Panther red zone when there was a fumble recovered by Jaden Gregory, who returned it 26 yards. It led to the game-winning touchdown run, a one-yard dive by Thomas. Quarterback Jackson Moody threw to Kayden Brasher for the 2-point conversion. On his senior night, Hunter Albert made a crucial catch for 24 yards into Vikings territory, which set up the opening touchdown. The Panthers have won consecutive games for the first time since the spring season of 2021. They’ll try to win three straight games for the first time since 2019 when they face Cedar Ridge in the Battle for the Victory Bell on Friday night at Red Wolves Stadium.
