You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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. 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. 2003 to 2010 Head Varsity football coach at Santiago of Garden Grove. We sat down every day during our office period and bounced things off each other. Foothill and El Modena have been going at it for about 35 years now, and the series is even, 17 wins apiece with three ties. But the coaches told us, Theyre the same age as you. Barrett said the success has made the transition much easier. Subscribe today. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. Phone. Steve Clark, right, and his son Jamison pose prior to a BYU football game. 13 in the Orange County Top 25. Reach Another Level with a Private Utah Football Coach. 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. Honestly, I think Im more happy than sad. SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO El Modena and San Juan Hills each carried questions into their clash of teams ranked in the Orange County Top 25. It has been 30 years in the business and the time has come where I dont need it anymore, said Lester, El Modenas only football coach. Hes great! Subscribe now. Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henneys tenure as head coach. El Modena had possession, and Frasco was scrambling near his teams end zone. 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Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. Photo: Zach Cavanagh. Advertise with us. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Coach Mitchell giving the refs a pregame pep talk!! Thirteen members of that Edison team received football scholarships. 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. A strong Vanguard team in 1978 had lost its only game of the season to Edison. He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. In the end, the ultimate responsibility comes back to me, Lester said. 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. 866-495-5172. El Modena's players approached it differently. There also was tailback Kerwin Bell, perhaps the best ever to grace Orange Countys playing fields. Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. Im serious. Already have an account? I remember it as if it were yesterday. Dana Hills defense stepped up to force a grinding game from El Modena, but despite a field goal on the Dolphins overtime possession, the Vanguards found the end zone to capture the win, 23-20, in a CIF-SS Division 5 first round game on Thursday, Nov. 4. DP Times Daily Their four losses are to teams that entered this week with a combined 17-5 record. I didnt tell anyone for a while. Dan Albano has been a high school sports writer at The Orange County Register since 1993. Team talk with a humble, two-way baller @HitchensMayson of 5-0 @elmodenafb @ElmoHSAthletics @OrangeUnifiedCA @OSmith_5 @elishah_jackett @ocvarsity @SteveFryer pic.twitter.com/XgrWOXB4Ar, Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 24, 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. Next week, El Modena takes on Villa Park while San Juan Hills plays at Tesoro. Jen Amat told City News Service. Ledesma completed 6 of 11 passes for 139 yards in the second half against the Chargers. 90 OT . They have outscored their opponents 217-28. ORANGE The Dana Hills football team fought. Add Video. The Vanguards have 1139 players on their Football all-time roster. I hate to see it go, but you know it has to happen. El Modena senior running back Owen . Dont get the DP Times delivered to your home? In that time, Errion led Corona del Mar to three Southern Section championship games, of which the school won two. 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. The awe-inspiring Edison team was led by Frank Seurer, later a professional quarterback for the Los Angeles Express and the son of the former Denver Bronco of the same name. Los Angeles, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78. Its other loss also was to an undefeated team, Yorba Linda. Villa Park has a nonleague game next week against Canyon, on Friday, Oct. 7 at El Modena. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith, center, pushes past the Villa Park defense for a big gain in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Though Lester listed stress as a reason for retiring, most perceive him as one of the countys most easygoing, relaxed coaches. Chambers caught three passes for 115 yards. Dan's passion for water sports has earned him the nickname, Aqua Dan, in the newsroom and taken him to multiple U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and many USA water polo events as a reporter. (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. 2015-2017 Varsity assistant at Garden Grove HS. Coaches Contact List - Click Here UPDATED PHYSICALS INFORMATION 2022-2023: INFORMATION ON PHYSICALS Physical Examination Form Health History Form The play set up another El Modena touchdown. To climax the series of plays, he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass, and El Modena tied the score, 7-7. 2 years Defensive Back, Punt Returner, Kick Returner. At Kansas in 1980, he was named the Big Eight Conference newcomer of the year as a freshman. 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. Brown said the season hit a low point when Orange Lutheran--a longtime rival--defeated Whittier Christian for the second time. When Bob asked me if I would take over, I had no intention of being the head coach, Backstrom said. ; 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. El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park wide receiver Josh Wilcox is hit by El Modenas Brodie Hitchens forcing a fumble that Wilcox is able to recover in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. City News Service contributed to this report. And most agree, replacing a successful coach is not always an easy thing to do. (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. Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Adams 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Leftwich with 2:29 remaining in the game completed the scoring. He also was his usual disruptive self on defense at linebacker. El Modenas ensuing drive ended on another fourth-down try, this one an incomplete pass on fourth-and-10 at the Villa Park 24. Three years ago, Paul Orris replaced Jack Errion, who retired after 11 years as Corona del Mars basketball coach. 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. "I didn't think we'd be. Its all the work that goes into it--the two-a-day practices in the summer, the endless hours in the film room--and the worry that comes with the pressure of maintaining one of Orange Countys most powerful programs. We knew he was a skilled kid, but we really hadnt worked with him. He specializes in football and all the aquatics but covers many different sports. Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. 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. puts a smile on my face. . When Edisons Dino Bell fumbled the kick-off, El Modena simply held on to the ball for the victory. Villa Park got points on its first possession. But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. We hadnt beaten them since 2007.. When will the Stallions get their first victory? 2018 Varsity assistant at El Modena HS. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. You could tell that they wanted to be good at this, and it was something that meant something to them. Choucair and linebacker Owen Smith, who were both All-CIF selections last season, and linebackers Brodie Hitchens and Kyle Medel and lineman Davian Ceballos were among the many contributors to another fine defensive effort by the Vanguards. Chief among them was senior quarterback Bo Kelly, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. Neil P. - I'm a coach that believes in technique and knowledge which allows one to go out and dominate. No receivers were available. He won Associated Press Sports Editors awards for game-story writing in 2001, feature-story writing in 2017 and breaking news in 2019. 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. Ive learned from some of your favorite players and taught some of them some things I do well at the WR position. I mean, he won the Sunset League in 1985, 86 and 87. He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills responds lightning fast. I wasnt sure, but I had a pretty good idea it was busted, he said. He was honored as a Jim Staunton Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section in 2017. When I went to El Modena, we were always considered the underdogs, even though we had won the CIF (Southern Conference title in 1978), Frasco said. Armstrong ran a wheel route and scored with 15 seconds left in the period. by Dana Point Times. it was bad karma, said Scott Strosnider, a starter on the 1979 Edison team. The Dolphins were assessed nine penalties for 125 total yards. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. This coach has passed an identification, basic background, and sex offender check. 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). The Vanguards stuck to the ground and rushed in a five-yard touchdown to take the game, 23-20. If it did, he masked it well with his sense of humor. El Modena ended that streak by defeating the Spartans 28-13 on Thursday night at El Modena High. There was just an incredible amount of pressure (to win), McWhinney said. The reason is that Charger quarterback Mike Angelovic has the advantage of two of the countys better returning receivers, wide receiver Rick Justice (44 passes for 902 yards last season) and tight end Ken Griggs (14 receptions for 226 yards). That was all either team would manage in the second half. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. It really opened our eyes. They scored 49 points in a win over Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 8. 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. The Vanguards ran for 280 yards and four . Edison running back Kaleaph Carter is among Southern Californias most promising sophomores, but he will run into difficulty against fine Vanguard linemen Don Gibson (6-3, 255) and Allen Ennis (6-1, 220), as well as linebackers Ross Bauer, Joe Scagliotti and Pepe Jezek. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith, left, runs along the sideline for more yardage as he is chased by San Juan Hills defensive back Isaiah Bennett on a pass play in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Barrett replaced former Seahawk Coach Bill Gibbons after Gibbons was fired last June. Not that it was any ill will toward me--I dont think it was. El Modena HS Varsity Football. 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. Some people thought it was funny that Lester would even have the audacity to mention winning. It was like we had to battle to get respect from other teams. 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. Lester had a kind of empty feeling. The Vanguards back-up quarterback, Rick Ledesma, had never thrown a pass in a varsity game. . Menu Join Team. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Shoutout to Coach Mitchell for presenting and sharing his insights at the 2023 Los Angeles Football Coaching Clinic! I couldnt believe what happened.. In his eight years coaching at Ocean View, Gibbons led the Seahawks to three Sunset League championships since 1985, and guided the team at least as far as the Southern Section quarterfinals every year since 1983. All League 1st Team WR (2006) (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 . (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. 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. 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. Already a member? 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. "Our negotiators (talked) to him for several hours and finally convinced him to give himself up peacefully," Amat said. We worked really hard for this game, said El Modena senior defensive tackle Esteban Choucair. Bell carried the Chargers 53 yards on seven carries, and Edison was in front, 27-22, three minutes later when Seurer ran the ball in from the one. (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. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess changes direction to get away from San Juan Hills defenders in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. At Mission Viejo, Mike Rush took over last season for Bill Crow, who had coached football at Mission Viejo for 18 years, including the last eight years as head coach. Player Rating i 247Sports. OCDA alleges that he initiated the 10-hour standoff with police while armed in one of the school's classrooms in April, when he was being investigated for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17- year-old student. Both teams made mistakes on offense in the. Menu Join Team. 4TH DOWN: Dana Hills stops the El Modena drive on this Hayden Dendiu breakup. 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. At Whittier Christian, basketball Coach Bob Brown replaced Bill Cuccia last year after Cuccia resigned. Offensive tackle Bob Korb is an engineer, and fullback Jose Gill is a criminal investigator. 15 Offers 4 Visits 0 Coach Visits. El Modena never led Edison until 4:52 remained and flanker Kurt Adams scored on a nine-yard run. We always had something to prove.. None of the 6,500 people who sat transfixed in Fred Kelly Stadium will ever forget it, either. ASA College Brooklyn, NY (2017) (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park cheerleaders wait for the game against El Modena to begin in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. . (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith turns the corner and sprints up field against San Juan Hills in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Go in there and do a job. . We were so damn scared of them. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his team's "first challenge" so far but his team easily passed. 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. Going forward, this Dolphin team may have changed the path of the Dana Hills football program. A client should expect nothing but excellence from me. 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. The Spartans start Crestview League games at Yorba Linda on Oct. 14. Early in the third quarter Hitchens recovered at Villa Park fumble at the Spartans 26 and returned it to the 5. I was in way over my head. (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. Varsity Football Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 22 Elmo warming up for Brea-Olinda! Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. All of the ribbing that went on between the coaches before their games became known as The Ted and Bob Show., The aura surrounding our game and the fun of the challenge will be a little lost for us, Mullen said. Over in the Goliath camp, members of the former No. Their opponents took a combined record of 20-2 into Friday. The Dolphins gave it all they had and more, but as Dana Hills first CIF-SS playoff game since 2013 dragged on into overtime, it was the Vanguards that emerged from the mist victorious. (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). I love our kids and the time we had together was really a lot of fun.. (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. Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. I didnt think wed be dominating like this, but we knew this was a special group of guys.. Jack Elsner, El Modena principal, said that he wont name a replacement until January. Orange Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students in all academic programs and school activities. El Modena got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. Ask Bob Lester, Vanguard coach. El Modena beats Villa Park in football for the, 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 beats Villa Park in football for the first time in 15 years, 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. Snitzler was employed as an assistant varsity football coach during the time he was alleged to have been involved with the student. Both are nonleague games. Time kept rolling and the half ended. Menu Join Team. El Modena went on an 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Smith to give the Vanguards a 15-14 lead entering the half. Police found a gun inside the school, she said. Speaking of bad luck, the El Modena Vanguards--or the Ducks as their colorful coach prefers--actually had to absorb the majority of it. 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. I am married with 3 children & 1 grandchild. 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. CoachUp now makes private football coaching affordable and convenient for athletes of all ages and skill levels. A native of East Lyme, Conn., and a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he began writing for The Times in 1981. 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Even the principal here (John Meyers) called me in and said he expected to have a winning season. ORANGE El Modena was dominant in the trenches and cruised to a 38-0 win over Santa Ana in a nonleague football game Thursday at El Modena High. Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henney's tenure as head coach. I also think theyre going to take away the passion that Bo, Omar, Hayden, Jagger (Wiesen) play with, Henney said, and try and continue that to start a real tradition of having competitive football program at Dana Hills.. In the second half, it was the defenses that reigned. I have coached kids to high school guys to college guys. To them, it was noteworthy only because it was the second-to-last time they lost a game for three seasons. Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? With the final seconds ticking down in the half, El Modena connected a swing pass that looked destined for the end zone, but Dendiu stonewalled the Vanguard receiver at the 1-yard line. Football Recruiting / California / Orange, CA / El Modena High School / Jackson Keays. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. El Modena ran the ball 51 times to gain a total of 273 yards, but Dana Hills made them earn every yard on lengthy drives. 2000-2002 Varsity assistant coach at La Quinta with Guy Gardner. (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. . Hes had such a good thing going with the parents and the players, its tough to see him leave.. The season, which ended with last weeks 14-13 loss to Santa Ana in the Southern Conference semifinals, had every ounce of stress that his previous 19 at El Modena had.