Advertising Varsity Football (2021 - 2022) Team Record (8 - 5, 0 - 3) Roster (91) . El Modena also lost two championship games in overtime, the first in 1980 to Lynwood (14-13), and the second in 1981 to Foothill (21-14). @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1 @OwenCha16498928, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 14-10, 2:40 2Q. The Vanguards are ranked No. Hes been like a second father to me., Said Lukenbill, an assistant: This is the end of an era and a lot of good times. (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. Dolphins take over on the 31, 17-17, 1:14 to go. @bills_kelly. El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his team's "first challenge" so far but his team easily passed. Two plays later Smith scored on a 1-yard run around right end for a 14-3 lead. Sign up here. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Email. The rivalry wont be the same without him. Smith snuck behind coverage to pull in a 31-yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown and a 28-6 lead. Consensus--With the addition of kicker Tim Bontrager this season, the Chargers should not suffer many one-point losses, the margin in all their 1984 defeats. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. Sophomore Nate Lewis started but was replaced during the game by junior Cooper Adams. El Modenas ensuing drive ended on another fourth-down try, this one an incomplete pass on fourth-and-10 at the Villa Park 24. Of course, youd like to tweak a play here and try to figure out how you couldve won it, but youve got to give the other team a lot of credit for winning it. Lester began his coaching career at La Veta High in Colorado in 1956, where he spent four seasons before moving to Colorados Salido High for two years. Blake Califf kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Spartans on top 3-0 midway through the first quarter. 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. Head Freshmen coach at Orange HS 1998. That makes a big difference, I think.. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/dsg4t9Eerl. Guess moved around and outside of the pocket before throwing to the open Astor at the back of the end zone for a 7-3 lead with 5:39 to go in the second quarter. Dont get the DP Times delivered to your home? Key to the game--Much will depend on the effectiveness of the El Modena defense, particularly the Vanguards untested secondary. El Modena never led Edison until 4:52 remained and flanker Kurt Adams scored on a nine-yard run. Villa Park struggled to establish an offensive flow and wounding up using two quarterbacks. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills fans cheer as their team takes the field before the start of the game against El Modena in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Offensive tackle Bob Korb is an engineer, and fullback Jose Gill is a criminal investigator. Hes had such a good thing going with the parents and the players, its tough to see him leave.. That wealth of knowledge, thats what I miss the most, though he still comes over and talks to us sometimes. El Modena High School Orange, CA Coach Bios Michael Myers Offensive Line Sean Fryer Coach (714) 454-3331 stfryer@gmail.com El Modena Head Girls Lacrosse Richard Garcia Coach 1 (714) 875-9121 ragarcia@orangeusd.org El Modena Freshman coach 10th season Samuel Sepulveda Coach (714) 724-3373 sam.sepulveda11@gmail.com Aaron Shahrestani Coach It was a sensitive situation.. And most agree, replacing a successful coach is not always an easy thing to do. 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. In overtime, Dana Hills got hit with one more holding penalty to stall their one extra possession. He compiles the Hot 150 list of football players to watch in Orange County before each season. El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess, center, sprints through a hole in the Villa Park defense in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. He also writes about high school football recruiting, including The Register's annual FAB 15 teams that list the top high school football players in the Western U.S. before National Signing Day. Nowadays, when players from the 1979 El Modena High School football team get together to recall a little of their glory days, that is the night that springs to mind. It was Kelly and the Dolphins quick-strike offense that put Dana Hills in control in the first half, 14-10. Some people thought it was funny that Lester would even have the audacity to mention winning. Gardening Stuff & Plant cuttings Exchange Feb 11th Irvine Great Park. I mean, he won the Sunset League in 1985, 86 and 87. 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. 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. He then spent a year as a graduate assistant at Colorados Adams State College before moving to Duarte High to become head coach in 1963. Father and son will be on opposite sidelines when the two teams meet next Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The only problem I was feeling was that we always expected so much success at El Modena, Backstrom said. Former El Modena High School coach Michael James Snitzler, 26, was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor unlawful sexual intercourse and child annoyance following investigating by Orange police . That was all either team would manage in the second half. I will focus on technique and being efficient in and out of breaks. He said, I expect results and then well talk (about having a job at the end of the season). I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. It was like we had to battle to get respect from other teams. Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. Doug Rozsa remembers that El Modena had been selected to finish fourth in the Century League in 1979. TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills responds lightning fast. High School Sports. At Whittier Christian, basketball Coach Bob Brown replaced Bill Cuccia last year after Cuccia resigned. No one was hurt. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? Dana Hills offense got stuck thanks to a physical El Modena pass rush, which forced holding calls against the Dolphins and long down-and-distances late. The drama at the school, located at 3900 block of E. Spring St., unfolded at 11 a.m. on April 23 when the Snitzler's brother -- who was inside the school with him -- called Orange police, Orange Sgt. Frasco had been such a fine quarterback the year before, and we knew he would be such a great one that we wanted to work with him. Hitchens, a running back/linebacker, capped the march with a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the period. (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. Afrookhteh knocked through a 26-yard field goal to put Dana Hills ahead, 20-17. El Modena Captains getting ready for the coin toss against Yorba Linda! (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Blake Armstrong, left, fights off Villa Park wide receiver Isaiah Moraldo in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. You cant put words to how I feel. In the second half, it was the defenses that reigned. 4TH DOWN: Dana Hills stops the El Modena drive on this Hayden Dendiu breakup. Many county high school coaches can relate to that experience. Dana Hills football. Speaking of bad luck, the El Modena Vanguards--or the Ducks as their colorful coach prefers--actually had to absorb the majority of it. Twitter. Under those circumstances, I accepted. (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. I was in way over my head. The Vanguards ran for 280 yards and four . Menu Join Team. Grew up in Orange. He also had two receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. 2019-current Freshman assistant football coach at El Modena HS. Steve's first byline appeared in the Register in 1979. FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA A north Orange County former varsity football coach faced multiple charges Wednesday regarding his start of a police standoff, while armed, in an El Modena High School classroom according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. San Juan Hills entered 0-5 for the second consecutive season. Chief among them was senior quarterback Bo Kelly, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. 2022-23 NCAA Guide For College Bound Student-Athlete (PDF), 2020-21 NCAA International Student-Athlete Guide, 2021-22 Equity in Athletics Report (EADA), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), TicketSmarter - Official Ticket Resale Partner, 2021 Trailblazer Football Tailgate Information. New era of football begins at Mater Dei under coach Frank McManus. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. El Modena had possession, and Frasco was scrambling near his teams end zone. But at the end of the day, (the schedule) is good for us. El Modena sophomore quarterback Xzavior Guess completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. . The Vanguards won their first Southern Conference championship in 1978 when they defeated Pacifica, 20-6, and they won back-to-back titles in 1983 (10-7 over Foothill) and 1984 (26-0 over Esperanza). Villa Park got points on its first possession. If they remember it at all, the Chargers recall how hot and oppressive it felt as their bus pulled into Orange, and how tiny the visitors quarters at Fred Kelly seemed. "I didn't think we'd be. 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Played football at S.A. College. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Lester, who had been the coach since the school opened in 1966, won three Southern Section titles in that time and lost two others in overtime. While attending Vanguard University, Brandon also started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at El Modena High School in 2014. Guess scored on a weaving-through-the-middle run of 28 yards to stretch the advantage to 21-6 early in the fourth quarter. During football season, he partners with Steve Fryer and Jonathan Khamis on OCVarsity's Gridiron Show and hosts a weekly podcast on Trinity League football. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Blake Armstrong, left, celebrates his touchdown against San Juan Hills with wide receiver Sam Astor (11) in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. After that, Ledesma came on (during the remainder of the season) and became one of the finest quarterbacks we ever had.. If it did, he masked it well with his sense of humor. Both touchdowns were thrown to senior Omarjaye Black for 68 yards and 19 yards. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Californias snowpack is approaching an all-time record, with more on the way. Jen Amat told City News Service. Shoutout to Coach Mitchell for presenting and sharing his insights at the 2023 Los Angeles Football Coaching Clinic! (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), An El Modena cheerleader entertains the crowd with a series of flips before the start of the game against Villa Park in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Personalized, one-on-one instruction is the secret to improved skills and increased confidence. The Dolphins were assessed nine penalties for 125 total yards. Subscribe now. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills fans watch fireworks before the start of the game against El Modena in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. For $2 or less, they bought a ticket to witness David defeat Goliath. I think were good, Mitchell said. Located in an unincorporated area between Tustin and Orange,. Bob is kind of a classic guy, and his resignation is a loss for Orange County football.. El Modenas defense did its part by holding the Stallions to 83 yards offense in the first half, most of which came on the final 1:30 on the arm of Tollefson. 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. Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. puts a smile on my face. Some coaches, especially those who had been on the staff for a long time before accepting the head coaching job, say replacing a very successful coach was not much of a problem at all. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills quarterback Michael Butter Tollefson looks to fire a pass against El Modena in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. . When will the Stallions get their first victory? "Our negotiators (talked) to him for several hours and finally convinced him to give himself up peacefully," Amat said. Steve Clark, right, and his son Jamison pose prior to a BYU football game. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. It turned out to be one of those storybook seasons, really, Brown said. The Vanguards opened a 22-0 lead late in the third quarter on a 27-yard TD pass from Xzavior Guess to Blake Armstrong on a fourth-and-7. 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. Steve Barrett, Ocean Views baseball coach, knows the feeling. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modenas Mayson Hitchens, left, runs past Villa Parks Carter Christie after catching a pass to set up a El Modena touchdown in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Sign in here. This season, with the CIF-SS system now being based on calpreps.coms computer power rankings, Dana Hills opened with a rating that wouldve put them in Division 13 at the end of the year. In February, Snitzler was accused of meeting the student and communicating with the victim via text messages. Subscriptions In the second half, cornerback Eddie Martinez chipped in an interception to help the Vanguards defense. kelly.bills@dixie.edu. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. El Modenas players approached it differently. Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. Add Video. Sign In School Page; Team Page Schedule Roster Videos/Photos . Our coaches our dedicated! We always had something to prove.. It seemed like Kerwin Bell scored four or five touchdowns, Frasco recalled. In his 14 years at El Rancho, Johnson had led the school to five Southern Section championship games, winning three. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), A El Modena cheerleader takes a selfie as she is held up by fellow cheerleaders before the game against Villa Park in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. 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. Runs Sex Offender screening on every coach, Ensures high quality coaches with verified reviews, Offers 24/7 support and helpful Athlete Advisors, Easy payments via credit card, no need for cash, Provides convenient scheduling with calendar integration, Enables automated reminders before training sessions, Captures post-session feedback directly from your coach. I hate to see it go, but you know it has to happen. I want to do some of the things I havent done in 30 years, such as hunt in the fall, take a full summer off, not excrete so much stomach acid in the fall . El Modena got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. Sign In School Page; Team Page . Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. You hate to lose, San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said before the game of the schedule. The pressure was so enormous . By 2017, the El Modena football program was . Go in there and do a job. . His next scheduled court appearance is May 12 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. When the Dolphins last sniffed playoff contention in 2019, they were fighting for a spot in Division 12. For the team with the broken-armed quarterback, the mascot that waddles, the set of identical triplets on the line and a 20-pound disadvantage at nearly every position, Sept. 29th still marks the best of the good times. In March, Snitzler was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the student, according to Rackauckas. All League 1st Team WR (2006) You have to give the other team credit for that.. Though Lester listed stress as a reason for retiring, most perceive him as one of the countys most easygoing, relaxed coaches. Three weeks later, the Heralds won the 2-AA title. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. Already a member? In his 20 years at El Modena, Lester has had just two losing seasons, in 1969 (2-6-1) and 1973 (3-5-1). He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer). . El Modena High School (Orange, CA) Varsity Football El Modena Vanguards Varsity Boys Football Orange, CA FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Football Home Schedule Roster Stats Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / El Modena High School Football El Modena Football OVERALL 11-1 0.92 Win % LEAGUE 3-0 1st North Hills HOME6-0 AWAY5-1 NEUTRAL0-0 Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Best coffee city in the world? El Modena had to string together a 13-play drive to get back in front, 17-14, and the Dolphins responded on the next drive to tie the score, 17-17, on a 34-yard field goal by senior Kian Afrookhteh. Entering his 20th season as the Vanguards coach, Lester, 55, figured he would delegate most of the workload to his fine group of assistants, oversee the operation, and try to relax and enjoy football for a change. A native of East Lyme, Conn., and a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he began writing for The Times in 1981. In football or economic terms, those fans got a colossal bargain. Lester said 1979 was supposed to be a down year, and in fact the 79 team had already lost a game to Loara before meeting Edison. El Modena football makes statement by sprinting, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), El Modena football makes statement by sprinting past San Juan Hills, Ryan Schoonmaker named football coach at Santa Ana, Frank McManus prepared himself for Mater Dei football coaching opportunity, Foothill girls water polo edges Orange Lutheran to win first CIF SoCal Regional title, Former Trabuco Hills football coach Jim Barnett, a three-time CIF champion, dies at age 76, Orange football loses another standout player in QB Hype Grand, Saturdays OC schedule for the basketball, soccer CIF SoCal Regional playoffs, Marina girls basketball earns its revenge against Gahr, advances to regional semifinals, Orange County girls water polo Top 10: Orange Lutheran finishes No. El Modenas defense and special teams delivered its offense excellent field possession early in the fourth quarter and Hitchens capped a 21-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run to make it 29-0. ORANGE The Dana Hills football team fought. If you are fast, sweet but technique and knowledge will help you win all the time. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. To them, it was noteworthy only because it was the second-to-last time they lost a game for three seasons. November 5, 2021 12:21AM . Jack made it very easy for me because we had worked together (at Corona del Mar) for 11 years, Orris said. In his first season, Henney got this Dolphins program to set its sights higher and showed that it belonged with teams of El Modenas caliber. Zach Cavanagh @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 7-3, 6:37 1Q, CIF-SS D5. Frasco had never broken a bone in his life, but as soon as he got to his feet, he feared he had experienced the first. Many county coaches side with Backstrom in that replacing a successful coach isnt too difficult--especially when the former coach helps when he can. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills quarterback Michael Butter Tollefson, left, scrambles as he is chased out of the pocket by an El Modena defender in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Orange Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students in all academic programs and school activities. El Modena HS Varsity Football. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. El Dorado dropped to 6-2 overall. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess, center, sprints through a hole in the Villa Park defense in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The Vanguards took their opening possession 56 yards on seven plays for a score. 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. They scored 49 points in a win over Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 8. El Segundo 4, Torrance 2. . (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. Although Edison built a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the El Modena defense held the formidable Bell to just 10 yards rushing on six carries in the first half. But if there was any pressure, it was self-made. El Modena's players approached it differently. Head Coach Myers, Michael Offensive Line Mitchell, Joe Assistant Coach Mendoza, Joe . Hell admit that, by all rights, his team should not have had a remote hope of winning the game. No receivers were available. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. SCHEDULE Welcome to El Modena Football For questions regarding the El Modena Football Program and getting signed up, please contact Head Varsity Coach Matt Mitchell at mjmitch@orangeusd.org For questions regarding the El Modena Football Freshman team, please contact Freshman Head Coach Chris Esperanza at esperanzachris@att.net Passed Coach Course. 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Player Rating i 247Sports. Steve Clark is the tight ends coach for BYU, while son Jamison is a member of the Utah Tech football staff. Collecting Controversy : The curios and figurines of a racist past are hot properties. The Vanguards stingy defense almost recorded the shutout but San Juan Hills Sullivan Land scored on a 6-yard TD run with 55 seconds left in the fourth. 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. A strong Vanguard team in 1978 had lost its only game of the season to Edison. Lester, who had been the coach since the school opened in 1966, won three. I wasnt sure, but I had a pretty good idea it was busted, he said. That was a big disappointment because the kids had really wanted to win league and losing to them twice was a major setback toward the goal, Brown said. Kelly finds Black on a screen, Black finds blockers and sprints 68 yards to the end zone. Read customer reviews and train with Neil P. 100% money back guarantee. The Vanguard disaster occurred early in the second quarter. Dolphins are eliminated in first playoff appearance since 2013 in Division 5 opener. @dhhs_athletics @hdendiu pic.twitter.com/I3WMFdMhOk. Mike DiGiovanna has been covering Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Times since 1995 and spent 19 years as the Angels beat writer and two seasons on the Dodgers.