Winless Laguna Beach Gives Orange a Scare

ORANGE — In a Pacific Coast League opener, Orange High School (4-1-1) barely escaped its homecoming night with a 7-6 victory over Laguna Beach.

“It was an ugly win, but we’ll take it,” Orange coach Tom Meiss said. “Maybe we all underestimated Laguna Beach.” The Artists (0-6) took the lead on the opening possession of the second half when Sean Mallett caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Scheid.

After drawing two delay of game penalties while deciding whether to try for one or two points, Laguna Beach’s conversion kick sailed wide.

The Panthers took the ensuing kickoff and marched to the Laguna Beach 20. On 4th and 12, Gregg Campbell made a diving catch of Chris Thompson’s pass in the corner of the end zone to tie the game, and kicker David Knorr made the conversion to give the Panthers the victory.

“We only made one mistake tonight,” Laguna Beach Coach Lyman Olney said , “and it cost us the game.”