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ORANGE — Villa Park’s football team extended a big chunk of its bragging rights with a well-rounded performance Friday.
Running back Carson Ridge rushed for two short scores and backfield mate Carter Chistie added a 63-yard touchdown run as the No. 20 Spartans defeated No. 16 Orange 24-12 at El Modena High to claim the district rivalry game for the second consecutive season.
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Orange wide receiver Jonathan Smith jr., left, celebrates his touchdown against Villa Park with teammate Jakob Coleman, right, in a non-league football game in Orange on Friday, August 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Villa Park’s Nate Lewis, left, and Shawn Williams, center, break up a pass intended for Orange wide receiver Jonathan Smith jr. right, in a non-league football game in Orange on Friday, August 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Orange’s Jaelen Lightfoot, left, breaks up a pass intended for Villa Park wide receiver Spencer Jarrell in the first quarter in a non-league football game in Orange on Friday, August 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Villa Park running back Carson Ridge falls into the end zone to score a touchdown against Orange in a non-league football game in Orange on Friday, August 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Orange quarterback Oscar Rios, right, picks up big yardage before being brought down by Villa Park middle linebacker Ben Duckworth, left, in a non-league football game in Orange on Friday, August 26, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Christie helped seal victory with a tackle-busting scoring run early in the fourth quarter, one play after the Spartans (1-1) recovered a fumble at their 37-yard line.
The junior finished with 144 yards on 23 carries as the Spartans’ large offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage.
Villa Park scored 24 unanswered points before a late strike by Orange (1-1).
The Spartans’ defense also recorded four sacks, including two by outside linebacker Lucas Simone, and forced two turnovers.
The Spartans certainly improved their ball security. One week after committing six turnovers in a season-opening loss at Silverado, they didn’t commit a turnover.
Villa Park took a 14-6 lead early in the third quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Ridge. The senior’s second score arrived shortly after a 53-yard completion from quarterback Cooper Adams to tight end Zach Brown moved the ball the Orange 2. Brown almost scored on the well-executed play-action call.
Orange opened a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 7-yard TD pass from freshman quarterback Oscar Rios to wide receiver Jonathan Smith on third-and-goal. The combination also helped set up the score with a 50-yard connection along the sideline to move the ball to the Spartans’ 10.
Smith finished with eight catches for 164 yards.
Villa Park used a spark from its defense and special teams to take the lead early in the second period. Ridge scored on a 2-yard TD run four plays after a 31-yard punt return by sophomore Nate Lewis to the Orange 18.
The Spartans’ defense also kept Orange standout running back Kobe Boykin quiet. The junior finished with 25 yards rushing and 17 receiving. In a season-opening win against Pacifica, Boykin rushed for 108 yards on 13 carries and added six receptions for 104 yards and score.
Orange and Villa Park split their previous two nonleague games.
In the spring season last year, Orange defeated Villa Park 25-16, but the Spartans bounced back in the fall for a 29-22 victory.
The Orange Unified School District teams concluded a two-year contract Friday but Orange coach Robert Pedroza, for one, hopes the rivalry continues next season.
“It’s good for the city, it’s good for the fans,” he said.
Next week, Orange takes on another Crestview League contender in Yorba Linda while Villa Park plays Upland.
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