ORANGE — The Yorba Linda football team showed how well-balanced its offense can be in a 36-7 win over Orange Thursday at El Modena High

Last week, the Mustangs passed for 270 yards in a win over La Mirada. Thursday, Yorba Linda had to turn to the running game to move the ball against Orange.

“They were physical with our receivers and early on we were trying to do our normal stuff,” Yorba Linda coach Jeff Bailey said. “We had to adjust and take what they were giving us. We are much better at being a balanced team this year.”

Yorba Linda (3-0), ranked No. 10 in Orange County, ran for 250 yards and scored all five of its touchdowns on the ground.

William Saucedo did the grunt work for the Mustangs and ran for 165 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns.

“The linemen helped out tremendously. They opened holes and I just hit them,” Saucedo said. “The coaches putting that weight on my shoulders really fuels me and helps me perform.”

The Mustangs scored first midway through the first quarter after an interception by Dylan Gardner. Saucedo completed an eight-play, 43-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Mustangs in front 7-0.

No. 20 Orange (1-2) tied the game in the second quarter. Linebacker Angelo Adetoye intercepted a Yorba Linda pass in the end zone and returned it to the Orange 30-yard line. Freshman quarterback Oscar Rios capped a 70-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.

Jason Escovar returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards into Orange territory. Saucedo finished the scoring drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give Yorba Linda the lead back at 14-7.

Linebacker Wyatt Mosier, who was named first team All-County by the Register last season, intercepted a pass and returned it inside the Orange 10. Ali Elfiky scored on a 1-yard run and JJ Conrad converted a 2-point attempt to give the Mustangs a 22-7 lead at halftime.

Mosier also had a sack to lead the Yorba Linda defense and Anthony Villagomez had a fumble recovery. The Mustangs forced three turnovers and had multiple big returns on special teams.

“Our defense made it hard for them (Orange) all night,” Bailey said. “We forced them to make some mistakes and that’s what the game plan was.”

Yorba Linda opened the second half with a six-minute scoring drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Elfiky.

Escovar ran for a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Rios played the second half at quarterback for Orange after Hype Grand left the game with an injury. The freshman threw for 78 yards and ran for 39. Centrell Wise caught four passes for 76 yards.

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Adetoye shined on defense for the Panthers with a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. The secondary, led by USC commit Jett White, held Yorba Linda to 57 passing yards.

“We had too many turnovers and you can’t turn the ball over against a great team like that,” Orange coach Robert Pedroza said. “We want to play these top teams and see where we are as a program. This is eye-opening for the players to see what they need to do in the weight room and in practice to compete with great teams like this.”