NATIONAL CITY – Last season was a difficult one for Orange Glen, which won just one game all season.
But thanks to senior running back Andy Early and a stingy defense, the Patriots matched last season's win total in their season opener.
Early scored the game's only touchdown and the Orange Glen defense forced two turnovers at its own goal-line as the Patriots knocked off Sweetwater 7-0 Friday night at Gail Devers Field.
“It feels amazing,” Early said. “It's the first time we've won our first game since I've been here. I think that the work in the offseason paid off.”
“We worked so hard on our running game,” said second-year Orange Glen head coach Kris Plash. “We've tried to develop a power system, and they ran it exactly how I wanted them to.”
Running behind the Patriots' offensive line – nicknamed “the Hogs” – Early dominated this low-scoring affair. He finished with 20 carries for 115 yards. It was all part of the master plan, implemented by Plash.
“It was a key for us to control the ball,” Early said. “We're a running team, so we had good clock time and the offensive line did a great job opening holes.”
With the Hogs knocking the Red Devils' defensive line sometimes five yards past the line of scrimmage, Early's ability to shake tacklers and finish runs allowed Orange Glen to control the clock.
“He's our workhorse, and he does everything we ask,” Plash said. “He plays middle 'backer for us, he runs the football for us and gets those extra tough yard. He's just a kid you'd love to have on your team.”
It was fitting, then, that it was Early who made perhaps the game's second-most important play. With just 4:47 left in the game, the Red Devils had a third-and-goal from the Orange Glen 1-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Adam Aquon bobbled the exchange from his center and Early – from his middle linebacker spot – pounced on the ball in the backfield for the recovery.
“We blitzed Andy on that and he came up big for us,” Plash said.
The Patriots would not relinquish possession. After Early's 26-yard run gave the offense some breathing room, sophomore quarterback Miles Godfrey hit senior wideout A.J. Jimenez for a nine-yard gain on the subsequent third-down that iced it.
“They kept it close all game,” Plash said. “Then, when they needed to, they got the first downs to win it for us.”
The Orange Glen defense also was tested in the first half. A muffed punt gave the Red Devils the ball at their own 40 early in the first quarter. After five straight running plays, Aquon found senior receiver Jason Salmaron for a 45-yard completion, giving the Red Devils first-and-goal at the Patriots'6-yard line. On third-and-goal from the two, Aquon fumbled another exchange and senior linebacker Alec Roach recovered, giving Orange Glen another huge break.
“Our defense played incredible,” Plash said. “Probably the best defense I've seen in Orange Glen in a long time.
“The kids stuck in there. They gave up no touchdowns. They got down in the 1-yard-line and stopped them every time. It's just a great effort all along by a lot of kids playing two ways.”
