TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills strikes back. I dont like to lose, and it gets to the point where you tend to dwell on the negative. Lester, who said he will remain at the school for at least three more years as a physical education teacher, was hired the same year that Mullen was named athletic director at El Modena. 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I remember it as if it were yesterday. 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. He dodged out to the 20-yard line, where he was hit by an Edison safety. 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. That was all either team would manage in the second half. Lewis appeared to be dealing with a leg injury after the contest. In his first season, Henney got this Dolphins' program to set its sights higher and showed that it belonged . In March, Snitzler was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the student, according to Rackauckas. Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Not that it was any ill will toward me--I dont think it was. 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 wasn't going to get too excited on. (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. Barrett said the success has made the transition much easier. We sat down every day during our office period and bounced things off each other. Subscribe today. 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. 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. Guess rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. For $2 or less, they bought a ticket to witness David defeat Goliath. Subscribe now. Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? If we didnt, I think theyd be calling for my neck. And he still yells at me if I do something wrong, and still pats me on the back when I do something right.. Varsity Football 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. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Coach Mitchell giving the refs a pregame pep talk!! El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. . We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. At Whittier Christian, basketball Coach Bob Brown replaced Bill Cuccia last year after Cuccia resigned. Read customer reviews and train with Neil P. 100% money back guarantee. @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. But Backstrom said he never heard any grumbling from the players, their parents or the administration. 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 shorthand lingo of the Fred Kelly Stadium scoreboard described it thus: El Modena 28, Edison 27. 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. Smith rushed for 20 and 12 yards on his first two carries, the first two plays from scrimmage of the game. Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. It was fun to be a part of this.. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. I played HS football in the toughest league in CA, the trinity league at Servite HS. . Owen Smith rushed for 161 yards and a score, and Mayson Hitchens rushed for two scores and added three sacks as the Vanguards (5-0) defeated their second consecutive Top-25 opponent. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. . I just tried to hide it.. 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. 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 got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. Sign In School Page; Team Page . 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. Trying to steady his left arm, Frasco led the Vanguards down the field. Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henney's tenure as head coach. I dont know if you can ask for any more. Zach Cavanagh is the sports editor for Picket Fence Media. 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. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports. Going forward, this Dolphin team may have changed the path of the Dana Hills football program. And most agree, replacing a successful coach is not always an easy thing to do. Im a coach that believes in technique and knowledge which allows one to go out and dominate. Steve's first byline appeared in the Register in 1979. Linebacker Weston Port contributed to two sacks to help lead the Stallions defense. In 2015, Dan received the Bud Dwyer Jr. media award from the Southern California High School Football Coaches Association. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. To them, it was noteworthy only because it was the second-to-last time they lost a game for three seasons. Villa Park has a nonleague game next week against Canyon, on Friday, Oct. 7 at El Modena. Player Rating i 247Sports. 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. Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henneys tenure as head coach. (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. I think were good, Mitchell said. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . No one was hurt. 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. In the second quarter, El Modena drove 55 yards on nine plays for another touchdown. Also many years as a Head Wrestling coach of boys and girls. 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. 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 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. The transition, they say, was surprisingly smooth because they shared many of the same philosophies and strategies as the former coach. But Rush, who had been an assistant to Crow for 10 years, said the pressure was minimal, if any. 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 (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. I think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. Smith snuck behind coverage to pull in a 31-yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown and a 28-6 lead. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. He put in just as many hours on the weekends, just as much work, and just as much worry. Hell admit that, by all rights, his team should not have had a remote hope of winning the game. 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. 90 OT . Nothing cures more ills than success . 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.. 4TH DOWN: Dana Hills stops the El Modena drive on this Hayden Dendiu breakup. Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. The Spartans, who are No. In that time, Crow had won a Central Conference title, and finished runner-up once as well. 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. I think everyone understood the situation, he 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. El Monte 17, Rio Hondo Prep 7. It was a team yearning to be coached, Henney said. (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). A native of East Lyme, Conn., and a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he began writing for The Times in 1981. Armstrong ran a wheel route and scored with 15 seconds left in the period. High School Sports. Theyve been playing hard and together as a group. Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. I was in way over my head. When Bob asked me if I would take over, I had no intention of being the head coach, Backstrom said. 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. Santa Ana College (2007) But if there was any pressure, it was self-made. Jack made it very easy for me because we had worked together (at Corona del Mar) for 11 years, Orris said. We will be working the core, dynamic warm ups and then depended on how the client moves different tools for their tool box. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? (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. Father and son will be on opposite sidelines when the two teams meet next Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Youre going to be bummed out. (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. Menu Join Team. 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. He writes a weekly column on the county high school sports scene and also covers games and writes features. We keep preaching get to the ball and play as a team and thats what we did tonight.. While attending Vanguard University, Brandon also started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at El Modena High School in 2014. 15 in this weeks county rankings, have played a challenging schedule. We were so damn scared of them. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! Lester, who had been the coach since the school opened in 1966, won three. He also was his usual disruptive self on defense at linebacker. I dont think it wasnt until the fourth of fifth game of the season that I could actually smile.. El Dorado dropped to 6-2 overall. 14 El Modena answered its question emphatically Friday night with a well-rounded 29-6 victory against No. In his 20 years at El Modena, Lester has had just two losing seasons, in 1969 (2-6-1) and 1973 (3-5-1). 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. Dana Hills remained in front thanks to an enormous defensive play by Dendiu. Before the game, Lester had grimly predicted, "We don't. September 29, 1979, was a strange kind of Saturday night in Orange. We were terrified going into practice that week. Steve was honored as Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section. Doug Rozsa, an El Modena linebacker, the student body president and one of the Rozsa triplets, remembers fellow students telling him their team would be lucky to score at all against the countrys third-ranked team. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. In other words, dont go out and mess up a good program.. That wealth of knowledge, thats what I miss the most, though he still comes over and talks to us sometimes. Sophomore Nate Lewis started but was replaced during the game by junior Cooper Adams. As the fog descended upon Fred Kelly Stadium, Dana Hills went blow-for-blow against a physical and tested El Modena squad. Basically, I was the young guy coming in and I dont think they wanted to hurt the future. Advertising Coach Esperanza also attended the clinic to learn more about the game of football! . El Modena stuck to its running attack, and in the past that mightve gotten Dana Hills, but the Dolphins met the challenge. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. Hes had such a good thing going with the parents and the players, its tough to see him leave.. I couldnt believe what happened.. 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 . Doug Rozsa remembers that El Modena had been selected to finish fourth in the Century League in 1979. The Vanguards gave up a double-digit number of points for the first time this season. Scouting Report Already a member? Varsity Football (2019 - 2020) Team Record (5 - 6, 1 - 2) Roster (57) . Reach Another Level with a Private Utah Football Coach. Sign up here. Thirteen members of that Edison team received football scholarships. Snitzler was employed as an assistant varsity football coach during the time he was alleged to have been involved with the student. El Modena's players approached it differently. When Edisons Dino Bell fumbled the kick-off, El Modena simply held on to the ball for the victory. Bell did get back in stride in the second half, finishing with two touchdowns and a total of 134 yards rushing. 8 games started at WR. Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2000-2002 Varsity assistant coach at La Quinta with Guy Gardner. (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 .