Villa Park Gets the Other Side of Upset : A Week After Beating Los Alamitos, Spartans Fall to Orange, 15-0

For the second consecutive week, Villa Park High School was involved in a major upset. But unlike last week, when Villa Park defeated Los Alamitos, the Spartans were on the losing end this time.

Orange stunned Villa Park, 15-0, Friday night in front of 3,800 at El Modena’s Fred Kelly Stadium.

Last week, Villa Park (3-1) shocked top-ranked Los Alamitos, 24-21, and Spartan Coach Pat Mahoney was dreading a letdown all week long.

He had good reason to worry.

The Spartans had six turnovers, fumbling five times and throwing an interception as they never came close to scoring. Villa Park quarterback Jason Martian was responsible for five of the turnovers. Orange tackle Tres Martin recovered three fumbles.

“It could see it coming last week, and I felt it coming this week,” Mahoney said. “We were sky high in practice last week and flat this week.”

Orange (3-0-1) utilized an effective ball-control offense to take the Mayor’s Trophy that goes to the winner of this game.

The Panthers have had only one winning season this decade, but under first-year Coach Tom Meiss, they appear to be a major threat to dethrone Trabuco Hills in the Pacific Coast League.

“This is something special,” Meiss said. “This kids would trade the whole season just to beat Villa Park.”

Last year, Orange won only two games but defeated Villa Park, 16-14.

Orange scored the only touchdown it needed midway through the first quarter when fullback Paul Minor scored on a one-yard run. The Panthers’ makeshift backfield of Minor and converted fullback Brian Remmel was more than adequate, gaining 112 yards rushing.

Remmel scored Orange’s second touchdown late in the fourth quarter and finished with 88 yards in 22 carries. Minor had 24 yards in eight carries.

Villa Park’s offense had a forgettable evening. Martian completed only one pass for 24 yards to go along with his five fumbles and an interception. Tailback Gary Bladow, who entered the game with 300 yards rushing, was held to 25 yards in 13 carries.

“We didn’t key on anybody, the kids just did a great job of recognizing their sets,” Meiss said. “I think people will be slow to score on us, and I’ve always felt that the best defense is controling the ball.”

And Mahoney a simple reason for the loss.

“They kicked our butts, what more can you say?” Mahoney said.