With a 44-8 win over visiting Grand Valley on Friday, the Orange football team is 4-0 for the first time since 2007 when the Lions won their first four games then lost six straight to finish 4-6.
Head coach Adam Bechlem is aware of the pitfalls of looking too far ahead but he’s confident his Lions are focused on one game at a time.
“It was a great win and it validates the hard work we’ve been putting in,” Bechlem said. “At the end of the year, we can talk about history. We always have a next step, next play, next game mentality. Now is what matters, not the past, not the future.”
Leo Abramson’s 29-yard field goal gave the Lions a 3-0 lead with 1:06 left in the first quarter.
Orange finally found its rhythm in the second quarter when Sean Borgman completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Hill, Diante White ran for a 56-yard touchdown and Borgman connected with Marvin Davies on a 41-yard scoring strike.
The Lions led at halftime, 23-6.
Davies added a 54-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. He ran the ball twice for 57 yards and added four catches for 122 yards.
“Great night for Marvin,” Bechlem said. “Explosive, big, powerful kid. He’s learning how to be tougher and give great effort every play. Some of his best plays tonight are when he did not have the ball. I’m proud of him.”
Borgman, who completed 9-of-17 passes for 215 yards and two scores, ran for a 41-yard touchdown to push Orange’s lead to 37-6. He finished with a game-high 95 yards on 13 carries.
Brian Pernell added a 13-yard touchdown run and the Lions’ defense closed out the scoring with a fourth-quarter safety.
Grand Valley accumulated just 108 yards of offense in the loss.
“We have an excellent defensive staff and the kids are buying into being a great defensive team,” Bechlem said. “Their fundamental approach has been critical.”
The Lions travel to Harvey on Sept. 21.
