Orange routs Northern Vance football

The Orange Panthers scored touchdowns on each of its seven first-half possessions to blow out Northern Vance 48-0 on homecoming night at Auman Stadium.

Junior quarterback Jackson Schmid threw for 140 yards and three touchdowns, including two to classmate Alex Long. The Panthers (7-1, 2-1 Big 8 3A) opened the game with a 12-play, 85-yard drive that culminated with Schmid hooking up with Long for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

Chris Eubanks recovered a fumble on the subsequent kickoff, which led to Drew Lemaster scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run. Lemaster, coming off a career-high 110 rushing yards against Northwood, also scored two touchdowns.

Chris Eubanks and Cody Evans each scored their first varsity touchdowns in the second quarter. Evans caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Schmid. On the next Orange drive, Eubanks scored on a 20-yard scamper.

Northern Vance (4-4, 1-2) was shut out for the first time this season and held to 82 yards total offense. After losing its conference opener to Southern Durham two weeks ago, the Orange defense hasn’t given up a point in eight quarters.

Turning point

With 7:29 remaining in the first quarter and Orange up 7-0, Eubanks recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Vikings 18-yard line. Lemaster scored a touchdown four plays later. The Panthers had the first 16 plays from scrimmage.

Unsung hero

Backup running backs Ryan Puckett and Demares Drummond combined for 97 yards rushing as the second half was played with a running clock.

By the numbers

Since losing to Northern Vance in 2010, Orange has won the last five meetings by a combined scored of 254-26.

Feeling the impact

The race for two of the Big 8’s three playoff spots appear over. Southern Durham defeated Chapel Hill on Friday night, while Orange remains a game back of the Spartans with Cedar Ridge, Chapel Hill and J.F. Webb remaining.

This story was originally published October 10, 2015 at 12:41 AM with the headline "Orange routs Northern Vance football."