Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 22 Elmo warming up for Brea-Olinda! You hate to lose, San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said before the game of the schedule. He always has been the type to joke around at practice, and hes always been a hit with the media, often providing reporters with funny one-liners. His next scheduled court appearance is May 12 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Chief among them was senior quarterback Bo Kelly, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park quarterback Vince Lagatta, left, gets rid of the ball as El Modena defensive tackle Shane Whitehill, center, and outside linebacker Kyle Medel close in during the first quarter of a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Steve was honored as Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section. After that, Ledesma came on (during the remainder of the season) and became one of the finest quarterbacks we ever had.. The Vanguard disaster occurred early in the second quarter. View career profiles, stats, photos and video highlights. In the second quarter, El Modena drove 55 yards on nine plays for another touchdown. We keep preaching get to the ball and play as a team and thats what we did tonight.. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. The Vanguards have 1139 players on their Football all-time roster. New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. The Vanguards Mayson Hitchens had two catches for 44 yards, one of them a reception of a short pass over the middle that he turned into a 38-yard gain by bowling over three defenders. 2019-current Freshman assistant football coach at El Modena HS. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park tight end Jeremiah Leftwich, left, reaches for the goal line to score a touchdown over El Modenas Ryan Holzgang in non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. I played HS football in the toughest league in CA, the trinity league at Servite HS. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Barrett replaced former Seahawk Coach Bill Gibbons after Gibbons was fired last June. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Other coaches surely envy his staff, which includes 20-year assistants Glenn Lukenbill and Bob Radford, 18-year assistant Dale Arambel, 12-year assistants Pete Parker and Bill Backstrom, and 5-year assistant Al Clinton. The only problem I was feeling was that we always expected so much success at El Modena, Backstrom said. But Rush, who had been an assistant to Crow for 10 years, said the pressure was minimal, if any. He dodged out to the 20-yard line, where he was hit by an Edison safety. While the ride through the 2021 season was fun, getting off the train this early hurt for a stellar senior class that led the Dolphins to this spot. Email. 3920 E. Spring Street, Orange, CA 92869 714-997-6331, For questions regarding the El Modena Football Program and getting signed up, please contact Head Varsity Coach Matt Mitchell at, For questions regarding the El Modena Football Freshman team, please contact Freshman Head Coach Chris Esperanzaat, For questions regarding the El Modena Football Boosters and to join our weekly mailing list, please contact Football Boosters President Linda Manionat. 21 San Juan Hills at San Juan Hills High. One of the Captains of 1989 CIF Finalist team with Tom Meiss as head coach. Incredible. For less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee a month, become an Insider member and continue to get Local News You Can Use from the only independently owned, dedicated local news organization in South Orange County. Before the game, Lester had grimly predicted, We dont win if Frasco doesnt have a big game. He was referring to quarterback Bob Frasco, the Ducks main asset. The Vanguards took their opening possession 56 yards on seven plays for a score. Black caught three passes for 84 yards. Three years ago, Paul Orris replaced Jack Errion, who retired after 11 years as Corona del Mars basketball coach. The transition, they say, was surprisingly smooth because they shared many of the same philosophies and strategies as the former coach. Time kept rolling and the half ended. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Blake Armstrong signals a touchdown along with the referee after scoring on a pass play against San Juan Hills in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. In February, Snitzler was accused of meeting the student and communicating with the victim via text messages. Trying to steady his left arm, Frasco led the Vanguards down the field. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports. The thing was, they wanted Bob to continue coaching, but they also realized that (his years of coaching) were numbered. But the pass play failed on the conversion. This will be a hard-fought game, and Edison should emerge victorious by a point. Snitzler was employed as an assistant varsity football coach during the time he was alleged to have been involved with the student. The first year I was varsity coach, he was still teaching on campus, so I could go to him for help and he welcomed it. . (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith, center, muscles his way into the end zone to score against San Juan Hills in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. La Veta High School (Colo.): 24-12-2 (1956-59), Salido High School (Colo.): 15-6 (1960-61), Duarte High School (Calif.): 17-10 (1963-66). I would like to get away from football film forever. "I think we're good," Mitchell said. His career record at El Modena was 157-58-8. Guess rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. (Gibbons said his removal stemmed from incidents during a San Luis Obispo baseball tournament last spring in which three Ocean View players were suspended for violating team rules). He turned a program that once had problems having a winning season into a program that was a big winner. 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All League 1st Team WR (2006) Steve also is in the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and was the first journalist to receive the Contribution to Education award from the Orange County Department of Education. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. Two days following the April 23 standoff, Snitzler was charged with possessing a firearm in a school zone, discharging or attempting to discharge a firearm in a gun-free school zone -- all of which are felonies -- and possession of ammunition on school property, a misdemeanor, according to Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. Snitzler surrendered to police about 8:45 p.m., Amat said. Its not the game that Lester is leaving. Why did two drives stall? Im tired of that.. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess (9) finds his way through the San Juan Hills defense in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. By contrast, only one El Modena player went on to play football at a four-year school. ; Tomatomania 2023: Roger's Gardens, Corona del Mar, Joyful Flowers: Ikebana Show 2023: Sherman Gardens, Corona del Mar, Art & Frame Warehouse Sale - Village Gallery, Annual California Cool Art Auction, Benefit & Bash 2023: Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, 'Holi By The Sea' Festival Of Colors 2023: Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 9th and March 14th at The Boardwalk, Body Found In Santa Ana River Thursday After Heavy Rains: Report, Before & After Photos Show CA's Snowpack, Reservoirs After Storms, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk], Fountain Valley Area Pets Waiting To Be Adopted: Meet Sheeba, Scooby, Shiela & More. I am married with 3 children & 1 grandchild. Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles, Qualified Private Coach Hell admit that, by all rights, his team should not have had a remote hope of winning the game. El Modenas players approached it differently. @ElModenaHS @emfb_mitchell @cespybaseball . After El Modena, Edison won 34 of its next 35 games, setting the record for the second-longest winning streak in Southern Section history at 32. Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. In overtime, Dana Hills got hit with one more holding penalty to stall their one extra possession. The Chargers also had tight end Mark Boyer, who went on to play at USC and is now employed by the Indianapolis Colts; linebacker Ray Malavasi, son of the former Ram coach, and tight end Duaine Jackson, another subsequent USC starter. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. El Modena dominated the first half, yards-wise, 201 yards of offense to Villa Parks 61, but had a lead of only 7-3 at halftime. 2015-2017 Varsity assistant at Garden Grove HS. Quarterback Michael Tollefson powered the drive with his running and finished with 63 yards on the ground. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. Lester had great rapport with his assistant coaches and players. Villa Park has a nonleague game next week against Canyon, on Friday, Oct. 7 at El Modena. Senior Hayden Dendiu made his second of two huge defensive stops to break up an El Modena pass on fourth down in the final minute of regulation. Ask Bob Lester, Vanguard coach. It turned out to be one of those storybook seasons, really, Brown said. "Our negotiators (talked) to him for several hours and finally convinced him to give himself up peacefully," Amat said. The Dolphins battled. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Coach Mitchell giving the refs a pregame pep talk!! In that time, Crow had won a Central Conference title, and finished runner-up once as well. As the fog descended upon Fred Kelly Stadium, Dana Hills went blow-for-blow against a physical and tested El Modena squad. The Chargers destroyed Canyon, 43-14. David Melendez #64 OG Dylan Leslie Coaches View All Michael Myers Offensive Line Sean Fryer Coach Videos Elmo goes into Victory formation and will win the first round of the Playoffs 15-14 over Pasadena! In the second half, cornerback Eddie Martinez chipped in an interception to help the Vanguards defense. El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his team's "first challenge" so far but his team easily passed. Scouting Report But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. Even the principal here (John Meyers) called me in and said he expected to have a winning season. The pressure was so enormous . The records--Edison (8-3), El Modena (13-1). 14 El Modena answered its question emphatically Friday night with a well-rounded 29-6 victory against No. The Vanguards went to their ground game to toil through a 14-play, 91-yard, seven-minute drive to retake the lead, 10-7, in the second quarter, but not for long. El Modena HS Varsity Football. . El Segundo 4, Torrance 2. . Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. Mullen eventually made it to Foothill, where the Knight-Vanguard rivalry in the Century League and in the playoffs evolved as one of the countys best. ORANGE El Modena coaches tried the its just another game approach to Thursdays football contest against Villa Park. Villa Park running back Ethan Fraser is stopped cold by El Modenas Brodie Hitchens, left, Mayson Hitchens, top center, and Esteban Choucair, right, in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. All League 1st Team DB (2005) In one period of years from 1978 to 1985, we had a run of eight straight years where we were in at least the semifinals every year. Bill was a very popular coach here with the kids and the parents, Brown said. McWhinney, then only 25, took over for his former high school coach, Ernie Johnson. Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? The Dolphins got to their first CIF-SS playoff game in eight years by posting their best regular-season record since 2009 the last year Dana Hills won a playoff game. I couldnt believe what happened.. We knew he was a skilled kid, but we really hadnt worked with him. Adams completed his final six passes to finish with 68 yards passing and a touchdown. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills fans get ready for the game against El Modena in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Linebacker Weston Port contributed to two sacks to help lead the Stallions defense. Ledesma rallied the Vanguards with less than two minutes to go, and he won the unwinnable game on a nine-yard pass to wide receiver Scott Buehler with 50 seconds left. We just shot ourselves in the foot a little too often, Henney said, didnt have enough time to get our playmakers the ball in certain occasions. The key was holding Kerwin Bell, Frasco said. Find trainers in your area Jack Elsner, El Modena principal, said that he wont name a replacement until January. McWhinney, who two weeks ago was hired to replace Jerry Howell as football coach at Foothill High School, accepted his first head coaching job 20 years ago at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera. El Modena got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. Doug Rozsa remembers that El Modena had been selected to finish fourth in the Century League in 1979. Hitchens, a running back/linebacker, capped the march with a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the period. Sign in here. Ive probably spent literally years watching film.. He won Associated Press Sports Editors awards for game-story writing in 2001, feature-story writing in 2017 and breaking news in 2019. But at the end of the day, (the schedule) is good for us. Though Lester listed stress as a reason for retiring, most perceive him as one of the countys most easygoing, relaxed coaches. Menu Join Team. Dan is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, where he worked at The Daily Titan as a news reporter, sports reporter, managing editor and opinion editor. He was honored as a Jim Staunton Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section in 2017. Villa Park struggled to establish an offensive flow and wounding up using two quarterbacks. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Villa Park quarterback Vince Lagatta, left, rolls out of the pocket as he is chased and taken down by El Modena defensive . Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network. Orange Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students in all academic programs and school activities. While the program needs to increase its numbers and Henney wants to see improvement in the weight room, Henney also hopes those leading Dolphins of the future take their cues from these Class of 2022 seniors. El Modena (11-0) advances to next week's second round against Friday's Bishop Diego-Vista Murrieta winner, while Pasadena, which started the season with a 15-14 loss to La Serna, ends the way. Both teams made mistakes on offense in the. Reach Another Level with a Private Utah Football Coach. Kelly finds Black on a screen, Black finds blockers and sprints 68 yards to the end zone. Gardening Stuff & Plant cuttings Exchange Feb 11th Irvine Great Park.]. WR/DB Coach While attending Vanguard University, Brandon also started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at El Modena High School in 2014. But, after an inspirational post-game talk, which Cuccia attended, Brown said the players were remotivated to win a Southern Section championship--something no Whittier Christian team had done. 2018 Varsity assistant at El Modena HS. I talked to all the other assistant coaches, and they said if I would take the job, then they would stay on at least three more years. 1, Santa Margarita girls, Portola boys race to titles at Capistrano Valley swimming relays, Disneyland quietly removes controversial lyric from new parade soundtrack, Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 2 arrested in Anaheim on suspicion of possessing $463,000 in stolen merchandise, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Lake Forest woman filed restraining order against daughter 8 years before being killed in their home, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, Taco Mesita opens flagship location in Old Town Tustin, OC Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, March 5, Lake Forest man convicted of killing stepmom with pickaxe, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. DP Times Daily Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith tries to get by Villa Park cornerback Mark Meagher for more yardage in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. During his first year as the OC, the Trailblazers averaged 421 yards of total offense, including nearly 300 ypg in the air, and 31.4 ppg. El Modena never led Edison until 4:52 remained and flanker Kurt Adams scored on a nine-yard run. @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1 @OwenCha16498928, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 14-10, 2:40 2Q. We were terrified going into practice that week. El Modena ended that streak by defeating the Spartans 28-13 on Thursday night at El Modena High. It was just a high school football game played six seasons ago. El Modenas Mayson Hitchens, left, gets through the San Juan Hills defense to score a touchdown in the first quarter in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. But Backstrom said he never heard any grumbling from the players, their parents or the administration. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . When Edisons Dino Bell fumbled the kick-off, El Modena simply held on to the ball for the victory. Nothing cures more ills than success . 877-845-6272. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Over in the Goliath camp, members of the former No. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), The San Juan Hills dance team gives a preview of the halftime show before the start of the game against El Modena in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. I didnt think wed be dominating like this, but we knew this was a special group of guys.. I dont know if you can ask for any more. In his first season, Henney got this Dolphins' program to set its sights higher and showed that it belonged .