Orange’s defense dominant in victory

Zebb Schroeder isn’t trying to sell tickets, just win games.

After building a 20-point halftime lead, the Olentangy Orange coach put the game in the hands of his defense, which shut down Watterson 22-0 on Friday night at Otterbein’s Memorial Stadium.

The victory moved the Pioneers to 2-0 for the first time since 2009, when they won their first four games.

“In the second half, we handed our defense the game and tried not to screw things up for them,” Schroeder said. “I know for spectators it’s not the prettiest game to watch, but we did what we needed to do.”

The game was not pretty. Watterson (1-1) fumbled twice as part of its four turnovers, and Orange lost three fumbles.

“We gave them so many opportunities and they took advantage of them,” Eagles coach Brian Kennedy said. “That is a good football team and this will make us better, but it still hurts to lose it.”

Late in the fourth quarter, an injury might have put a damper on the victory for the Pioneers. Junior defensive end Zach Harrison exited because of a left leg injury. He did not return and left the field on crutches.

“We don’t know much, but he will get X-rays tomorrow,” Schroeder said.

Orange jumped out 14-0 in the first quarter on Graham Starn touchdown runs of 15 and 13 yards.

With 17 seconds left in the first half, Luke Schmeling connected with Jayden Rodgers on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give Orange a 20-0 halftime lead.

Rodgers caught three passes for 33 yards and had

his second interception in as many weeks at defensive back.

Jack Houston and Brant Kightlinger sacked Watterson’s Cole Andrews in end zone for a safety with 9:30 left to play.

“Defense is all about doing the little things and working on fundamentals,” said Orange linebacker Bryce Houston, an Ohio University recruit who forced a fumble and led the Pioneers with eight tackles. “Coach (Matt) Berndt, our defensive coordinator, preaches fundamentals to us. You stay disciplined and stick to the fundamentals, then you can stop the big plays.”

Schmeling was 11-of-15 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown and also led Orange in rushing with 48 yards on eight carries.

Andrews was 24-of-41 passing for 158 yards and two interceptions for Watterson. Nick DePalma ran for 36 yards on 16 carries.

Orange had only 53 yards in the second half, which pleased Kennedy.

“We came out and made some adjustments, but the big thing was that the kids stepped up,” he said. “We kept playing, and we’ll be better for it.”