Brown, who coached the Heralds freshman and junior varsity squads for 11 years, said when he took the job, he believed that most of the loyalties of the team and their parents were still with Cuccia. He compiles the Hot 150 list of football players to watch in Orange County before each season. And a loss for The Ted and Bob Show, which can now only be seen in reruns. It has also been harder and harder to lose. Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. El Modenas ensuing drive ended on another fourth-down try, this one an incomplete pass on fourth-and-10 at the Villa Park 24. In 2015, Dan received the Bud Dwyer Jr. media award from the Southern California High School Football Coaches Association. it was bad karma, said Scott Strosnider, a starter on the 1979 Edison team. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. Also many years as a Head Wrestling coach of boys and girls. Menu Join Team. Early in the third quarter Hitchens recovered at Villa Park fumble at the Spartans 26 and returned it to the 5. Email. While attending Vanguard University, Brandon also started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at El Modena High School in 2014. To climax the series of plays, he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass, and El Modena tied the score, 7-7. Dana Hills led 14-10. 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. 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. Went to Orange HS. 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. Brown said the season hit a low point when Orange Lutheran--a longtime rival--defeated Whittier Christian for the second time. I would like to get away from football film forever. Its my last high school football game. 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. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! Varsity assistant at Orange HS 1 year with Dick Hill 1997. 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. The Vanguards are ranked No. Chambers caught three passes for 115 yards. TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills responds lightning fast. . Find trainers in your area El Modena Captains getting ready for the coin toss against Yorba Linda! 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. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), The Villa Park drum major salutes during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game against El Modena in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. They scored 49 points in a win over Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 8. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. But Backstrom said he never heard any grumbling from the players, their parents or the administration. Dana Hills football. Zach is a multiple California Journalism Award winner and has covered sports in Orange County since 2013. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. 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). Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. (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. . The Vanguards begin North Hills League play Oct. 13 against El Dorado. If you lost here, it wouldnt be accepted. . By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. (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 think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena running back Owen Smith (5) almost breaks away from San Juan Hills defensive back Isaiah Bennett who pushes him out of bounds in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Rick went in and played a heck of a football game, Lester said. 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. The stress never seemed to affect Lester, though. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Blake Armstrong, center, has the pass roll off of his fingertips in the end zone for an incomplete pass as San Juan Hills defensive back Rylan Schafer, left, and defensive back Dylan Wersching, right, apply pressure in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. 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. It turned out to be one of those storybook seasons, really, Brown said. By contrast, only one El Modena player went on to play football at a four-year school. 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. Their four losses are to teams that entered this week with a combined 17-5 record. You hate to lose, San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said before the game of the schedule. If winning was unlikely, winning in the absence of Frasco was unthinkable. I just tried to hide it.. 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. Bell did get back in stride in the second half, finishing with two touchdowns and a total of 134 yards rushing. I hated going to play at El Modena; I just never liked the place . The key was holding Kerwin Bell, Frasco said. El Modena stuck to its running attack, and in the past that mightve gotten Dana Hills, but the Dolphins met the challenge. 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. He dodged out to the 20-yard line, where he was hit by an Edison safety. Next week, El Modena takes on Villa Park while San Juan Hills plays at Tesoro. Lewis appeared to be dealing with a leg injury after the contest. . But Rush, who had been an assistant to Crow for 10 years, said the pressure was minimal, if any. The Vanguards ran for 280 yards and four . 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I walked on at BYU and learned the WR position my whole time there transitioning from QB to WR. Quarterback Michael Tollefson powered the drive with his running and finished with 63 yards on the ground. El Modena HS Football Program. Time kept rolling and the half ended. Collecting Controversy : The curios and figurines of a racist past are hot properties. 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. Hitchens, a running back/linebacker, capped the march with a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the period. 25 Feb 2023 01:23:28 puts a smile on my face. 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Offensive tackle Bob Korb is an engineer, and fullback Jose Gill is a criminal investigator. Armstrong ran a wheel route and scored with 15 seconds left in the period. Dana Hills remained in front thanks to an enormous defensive play by Dendiu. 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. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. 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. Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. El Modena never led Edison until 4:52 remained and flanker Kurt Adams scored on a nine-yard run. 8 games started at WR. Bill was a very popular coach here with the kids and the parents, Brown said. Dan Albano has been a high school sports writer at The Orange County Register since 1993. Its a good thing though weve had more Ws than Ls, he said. You cant put words to how I feel. Played football at S.A. College. 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. (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. Steve Fryer covers high school sports at the Orange County Register. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. (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. El Modena had possession, and Frasco was scrambling near his teams end zone. There also was tailback Kerwin Bell, perhaps the best ever to grace Orange Countys playing fields. . Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 Football Recruiting / California / Orange, CA / El Modena High School / Jackson Keays. Sign up here. (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. That makes a big difference, I think.. Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. Though Lester listed stress as a reason for retiring, most perceive him as one of the countys most easygoing, relaxed coaches. Passed Coach Course. Smith help set up the score with a 43-yard run to the San Juan Hills 30. I couldnt believe what happened.. It was fun to be a part of this.. 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. He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. Before the game, Lester had grimly predicted, "We don't. (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. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/dsg4t9Eerl. Assistant Coach Mendoza, Joe Assistant Coach Kulda, Greg Assistant Coach Tafua, Steve . However, with wins over rival Aliso Niguel, dominance of Pacific Valley League opponents and a strong showing in the Pacific Hills League, Dana Hills pushed up to Division 5. View career profiles, stats, photos and video highlights. Coach Biagini, Matthew Coach Garcia, Richard Coach Contact 600 W Santa Ana Blvd Ste 705 Santa Ana, CA 92701 (929) 322-4007 [email protected] . If we hadnt had a winning season, Im sure there might have been complaints, Rush said. Menu Join Team. High School El Modena City Orange, CA; Class 2023; Watch Highlights. Casa de Tortuga Is Just Simply Crawling With Tortoises: 450 of Them. 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? (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess runs into the end zone to score a touchdown against Villa Park in the fourth quarter in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. (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. Reach Another Level with a Private Utah Football Coach. Afrookhteh knocked through a 26-yard field goal to put Dana Hills ahead, 20-17. (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 tackle Esteban Choucair, (55) in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022.