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. The Spartans, who are No. I love our kids and the time we had together was really a lot of fun.. In that time, Crow had won a Central Conference title, and finished runner-up once as well. Both are nonleague games. 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. I was in way over my head. We always had something to prove.. 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. By contrast, only one El Modena player went on to play football at a four-year school. Sign In School Page; Team Page . (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. After El Modernas 14 play drive, Kelly hits Chambers for 56 yards and Black on this 19 yard TD pass. . After that, Ledesma came on (during the remainder of the season) and became one of the finest quarterbacks we ever had.. Menu Join Team. The only problem I was feeling was that we always expected so much success at El Modena, Backstrom said. It was a sobering experience. kelly.bills@dixie.edu. Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. 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 Bill was a very popular coach here with the kids and the parents, Brown said. Kelly Bills - Football Coach - Utah Tech University Athletics His next scheduled court appearance is May 12 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? 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. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He turned a program that once had problems having a winning season into a program that was a big winner. El Modena had possession, and Frasco was scrambling near his teams end zone. Steve Barrett, Ocean Views baseball coach, knows the feeling. . But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. At least with having the others there, it wasnt like bringing in an entirely new program. Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. They have outscored their opponents 217-28. But Backstrom said he never heard any grumbling from the players, their parents or the administration. (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. 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. They scored 49 points in a win over Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 8. Dan Albano has been a high school sports writer at The Orange County Register since 1993. 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. Dana Hills football. None of the 6,500 people who sat transfixed in Fred Kelly Stadium will ever forget it, either. Trying to steady his left arm, Frasco led the Vanguards down the field. 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. El Modena sophomore quarterback Xzavior Guess completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps, running back Jim Torok paid him the ultimate compliment in 1981, when he said: Hes the best. But at the end of the day, (the schedule) is good for us. This is exactly the type of training we were looking for. It was a sensitive situation.. The Vanguards went on a scouting mission to watch Edison play a talented Canyon team the previous week. Varsity Football (2021 - 2022) Team Record (8 - 5, 0 - 3) Roster (91) . 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. Player Rating i 247Sports. (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. 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. Not that it was any ill will toward me--I dont think it was. 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). Before the 1985 season began, Bob Lester, El Modena High School football coach, promised himself that this would be a kick-back kind of year--that he wasnt going to get too excited on Friday nights, and that he wasnt going to lose any sleep worrying about what play to call on third and short. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! His brother, Dave, an all-county offensive guard and the senior class president, said, It was comparable to the Raiders playing somebody like the New Orlean Saints.. 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. Black caught three passes for 84 yards. El Modena Varsity Football (2021 - 2022) | Blast Athletics Read customer reviews and train with Neil P. 100% money back guarantee. 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. Speaking of bad luck, the El Modena Vanguards--or the Ducks as their colorful coach prefers--actually had to absorb the majority of it. Bill Gibbons is like a living legend around here, he said. "I didn't think we'd be. He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. He won Associated Press Sports Editors awards for game-story writing in 2001, feature-story writing in 2017 and breaking news in 2019. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. There also was tailback Kerwin Bell, perhaps the best ever to grace Orange Countys playing fields. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. Both teams made mistakes on offense in the. 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. Bob is kind of a classic guy, and his resignation is a loss for Orange County football.. Next week, El Modena plays Foothill in a nonleague game on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Tustin High. This will be a hard-fought game, and Edison should emerge victorious by a point. 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. I dont like to lose, and it gets to the point where you tend to dwell on the negative. Our coaches our dedicated! On the Dolphins ensuing possession, Kelly extended and found senior Owen Chambers deep on a 56-yard pass, and on the next play, Kelly fired it up the middle to Black on a 19-yard touchdown pass. The Vanguards stuck to the ground and rushed in a five-yard touchdown to take the game, 23-20. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/dsg4t9Eerl. It has also been harder and harder to lose. 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. --In 1981, when it was announced that El Modena would be playing Edison, which was accused of recruiting players from outside the district: Its in our contract that after Edison gets 40 points, theyve got to play all kids from Huntington Beach., --On the prospect of facing long-time friend Ted Mullen, coach at rival Foothill High, in the 1983 Southern Conference final: Id just as soon see someone else over there besides Teds ugly face., --On Foothills Joe Walshe, who had a mustache and weighed 270 pounds when he starred at defensive end for the Knights in 1983: Hes a helluva football player, which he ought to be considering hes 35.. I was pretty sure that all of the basketball parents wanted Bill to come back. Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henney's tenure as head coach. 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. El Modena High School (Orange, CA) Varsity Football - MaxPreps.com He was honored as a Jim Staunton Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section in 2017. No one wins the Sunset League three times in a row. To them, it was noteworthy only because it was the second-to-last time they lost a game for three seasons. (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. I have no industry certifications but I love the game of football especially the WR position. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/tIf1Y24Bwn, When you play your heart out and you have hopes for a ring, youre going to feel down and everything, Kelly said. Lester, who had been the coach since the school opened in 1966, won three. So far under Barrett the Seahawks are 12-4 overall and lead the Sunset League with a 4-1 record. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Coach Mitchell giving the refs a pregame pep talk!! (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess, left, pushes San Juan Hills defensive back Ryan Haghani away as he takes the ball for a gain in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. Hell admit that, by all rights, his team should not have had a remote hope of winning the game. Adams 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Leftwich with 2:29 remaining in the game completed the scoring. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. @dhhs_athletics @hdendiu pic.twitter.com/I3WMFdMhOk. 15 in this weeks county rankings, have played a challenging schedule. Blake Califf kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Spartans on top 3-0 midway through the first quarter. Private football Coaches in Utah | CoachUp Kelly finds Black on a screen, Black finds blockers and sprints 68 yards to the end zone. When he finally resigned in October, it was a big disappointment for the kids, most of them were seniors. . Shoutout to Coach Mitchell for presenting and sharing his insights at the 2023 Los Angeles Football Coaching Clinic! In March, Snitzler was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the student, according to Rackauckas. 14 El Modena answered its question emphatically Friday night with a well-rounded 29-6 victory against No. @dhhs_athletics @tonyhenney pic.twitter.com/EkBPyGIPnA, South OC Sports (@SouthOCsports) November 5, 2021, I thought we fought like a team that belonged, Dana Hills coach Tony Henney said. He said, I expect results and then well talk (about having a job at the end of the season). Jack Elsner, El Modena principal, said that he wont name a replacement until January. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Surging Crespi receives another strong performance from sophomore Diego Velazquez, High school baseball and softball: Fridays scores, With Marcus Morris sidelined, Clippers look to stabilize lineup and rotations, With their playoff lives at stake, Darvin Ham challenges Lakers effort and urgency, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, 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, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Lakers playoff hopes take another hit after comeback fades vs. Minnesota, Ducks strike with a pair of late power-play goals to defeat Canadiens, With Norman Powell out, Clippers are edged at Sacramento for fifth loss in a row, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring the Bruins to national prominence. Over in the Goliath camp, members of the former No. I think were good, Mitchell said. Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles, Qualified Private Coach Hes had such a good thing going with the parents and the players, its tough to see him leave.. 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. Under those circumstances, I accepted. (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. November 5, 2021 12:21AM . I hated going to play at El Modena; I just never liked the place . Barrett replaced former Seahawk Coach Bill Gibbons after Gibbons was fired last June. 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. Yet, some witnesses still claim that it was the most exciting game they had ever seen. He also was his usual disruptive self on defense at linebacker. Barrett said the success has made the transition much easier. The Dolphins were assessed nine penalties for 125 total yards. He compiles the Hot 150 list of football players to watch in Orange County before each season. The Vanguards finished with 209 yards rushing mostly behind left tackle Grant Walker, left guard Roman Lira, center Anthony Lopez, right guard Michael Anaya and Washington-committed right tackle Elishah Jackett. It turned out to be one of those storybook seasons, really, Brown said. El Dorado dropped to 6-2 overall. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. 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. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . 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. . CoachUp now makes private football coaching affordable and convenient for athletes of all ages and skill levels. El Segundo 4, Torrance 2. . 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 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 dont know if you can ask for any more. He writes a weekly column on the county high school sports scene and also covers games and writes features. Santiago HS (Garden Grove) That was all either team would manage in the second half. He put in just as many hours on the weekends, just as much work, and just as much worry. 25 Feb 2023 01:23:28 El Modena football escapes with win over Pasadena in Division 3 playoffs Smith help set up the score with a 43-yard run to the San Juan Hills 30. For $2 or less, they bought a ticket to witness David defeat Goliath. @bills_kelly. Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. Three years ago, Paul Orris replaced Jack Errion, who retired after 11 years as Corona del Mars basketball coach. Played football at S.A. College. 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. (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. 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. Theyve been playing hard and together as a group. The rivalry wont be the same without him. When you talk about legends, as coaches, were all legends in our own minds.. It really opened our eyes. Many county high school coaches can relate to that experience. El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. . El Modena's players approached it differently. 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. El Monte 17, Rio Hondo Prep 7. 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 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..