El Modena sophomore quarterback Xzavior Guess completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Basically, I was the young guy coming in and I dont think they wanted to hurt the future. 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. Three years ago, Paul Orris replaced Jack Errion, who retired after 11 years as Corona del Mars basketball coach. Im a coach that believes in technique and knowledge which allows one to go out and dominate. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Sam Astor celebrates making a touchdown catch against Villa Park in a non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. @dhhs_athletics @hdendiu pic.twitter.com/I3WMFdMhOk. Many county coaches side with Backstrom in that replacing a successful coach isnt too difficult--especially when the former coach helps when he can. Even the principal here (John Meyers) called me in and said he expected to have a winning season. There was pain, and it was just kind of flopping around. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . @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. All League 1st Team WR (2006) Its other loss also was to an undefeated team, Yorba Linda. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. El Modena ended that streak by defeating the Spartans 28-13 on Thursday night at El Modena High. 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 outscored its previous four opponents a combined 160-9 and stuck to that script from the start. Guess rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. 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. At least with having the others there, it wasnt like bringing in an entirely new program. El Modena senior running back Owen . At Whittier Christian, basketball Coach Bob Brown replaced Bill Cuccia last year after Cuccia resigned. 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 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO El Modena and San Juan Hills each carried questions into their clash of teams ranked in the Orange County Top 25. He returned to watch the game with his arm in a sling. 877-845-6272. (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. El Modena's players approached it differently. 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. Yet, some witnesses still claim that it was the most exciting game they had ever seen. When you talk about legends, as coaches, were all legends in our own minds.. Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles, Qualified Private Coach Quarterback Michael Tollefson powered the drive with his running and finished with 63 yards on the ground. 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. 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. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park cheer during the game against El Modena in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. He also had two receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. He was honored as a Jim Staunton Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section in 2017. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Its my last high school football game. Lewis appeared to be dealing with a leg injury after the contest. Early in the third quarter Hitchens recovered at Villa Park fumble at the Spartans 26 and returned it to the 5. 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. In the end, the ultimate responsibility comes back to me, Lester said. 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. The Vanguards have 1139 players on their Football all-time roster. Three weeks later, the Heralds won the 2-AA title. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. 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. September 29, 1979, was a strange kind of Saturday night in Orange. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/dsg4t9Eerl. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 7 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 Varsity Football Linda Slajer Oct 2 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. Lester had a kind of empty feeling. The Vanguards back-up quarterback, Rick Ledesma, had never thrown a pass in a varsity game. . CIF-SS Division 5 first round. Incredible. 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. 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. And most agree, replacing a successful coach is not always an easy thing to do. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. We always had something to prove.. He turned a program that once had problems having a winning season into a program that was a big winner. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 22 Elmo warming up for Brea-Olinda! Passed Coach Course. Support Local Journalism "I didn't think we'd be. 2019-current Freshman assistant football coach at El Modena HS. Theyve been playing hard and together as a group. (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. The shorthand lingo of the Fred Kelly Stadium scoreboard described it thus: El Modena 28, Edison 27. November 5, 2021 12:21AM . Today, some of the Vanguards are college students, such as the Rozsa triplets, who attend UCLA. 2 years Defensive Back, Punt Returner, Kick Returner. Guess scored on a weaving-through-the-middle run of 28 yards to stretch the advantage to 21-6 early in the fourth quarter. Youre going to be bummed out. Villa Park struggled to establish an offensive flow and wounding up using two quarterbacks. We were so damn scared of them. The pair worked together for three years before Mullen left to coach at Villa Park. The rivalry wont be the same without him. Chambers caught three passes for 115 yards. We knew he was a skilled kid, but we really hadnt worked with him. If winning was unlikely, winning in the absence of Frasco was unthinkable. With all that hard work I was able to play with the Bills and learn from top guys like Stefan diggs and Gabe Davis. That wealth of knowledge, thats what I miss the most, though he still comes over and talks to us sometimes. You hate to lose, San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said before the game of the schedule. I think were good, Mitchell said. 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. 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. 1-ranked football team in California, the Edison Chargers, dont care to remember that particular game. They have outscored their opponents 217-28. Barrett replaced former Seahawk Coach Bill Gibbons after Gibbons was fired last June. If we hadnt had a winning season, Im sure there might have been complaints, Rush said. That lasted about a minute and a half, Lester said. Player Rating i 247Sports. He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. --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.. Our coaches our dedicated! In nine years, Cuccias teams won seven Olympic League championships, compiled a 180-49 overall record and reached the Southern Section final three times. 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. 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. Dan Albano has been a high school sports writer at The Orange County Register since 1993. We worked really hard for this game, said El Modena senior defensive tackle Esteban Choucair. David Melendez #64 OG Dylan Leslie Coaches View All Michael Myers Offensive Line Sean Fryer Coach Videos Elmo goes into Victory formation and will win the first round of the Playoffs 15-14 over Pasadena! The Chargers destroyed Canyon, 43-14. 8 games started at WR. His next scheduled court appearance is May 12 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Zach Cavanagh is the sports editor for Picket Fence Media. (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. Bill was a very popular coach here with the kids and the parents, Brown said. Steve's first byline appeared in the Register in 1979. Perhaps, running back Jim Torok paid him the ultimate compliment in 1981, when he said: Hes the best. Steve Fryer covers high school sports at the Orange County Register. Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. You cant put words to how I feel. Santa Ana College (2007) By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. No receivers were available. While attending Vanguard University, Brandon also started his coaching career as an assistant football coach at El Modena High School in 2014. Head Freshmen coach at Orange HS 1998. This is exactly the type of training we were looking for. 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. Both touchdowns were thrown to senior Omarjaye Black for 68 yards and 19 yards. I dont think it wasnt until the fourth of fifth game of the season that I could actually smile.. Offensive tackle Bob Korb is an engineer, and fullback Jose Gill is a criminal investigator. Next week, El Modena plays Foothill in a nonleague game on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Tustin High. But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. 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. A native of East Lyme, Conn., and a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he began writing for The Times in 1981. Already have an account? 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 Mark that as the first major accomplishment in the Henney's tenure as head coach. @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1 @OwenCha16498928, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 14-10, 2:40 2Q. ORANGE El Modena coaches tried the its just another game approach to Thursdays football contest against Villa Park. 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. Phone. (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. OCDA alleges that he initiated the 10-hour standoff with police while armed in . Back then the CIF-SS divisions were still geographic and league-based, and the Dolphins played in the tough Pac-5 Division. Dolphins are eliminated in first playoff appearance since 2013 in Division 5 opener. Linebacker Weston Port contributed to two sacks to help lead the Stallions defense. View all coaching experience. I have no industry certifications but I love the game of football especially the WR position. The Vanguard disaster occurred early in the second quarter. "I think we're good," Mitchell said. I dont know if you can ask for any more. (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. 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. Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. 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. 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. . I think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. ; 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. kelly.bills@dixie.edu. 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. (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. Time kept rolling and the half ended. He put in just as many hours on the weekends, just as much work, and just as much worry. 15 in this weeks county rankings, have played a challenging schedule. 2015-2017 Varsity assistant at Garden Grove HS. Honestly, I think Im more happy than sad. The thing was, they wanted Bob to continue coaching, but they also realized that (his years of coaching) were numbered. The Vanguards went on a scouting mission to watch Edison play a talented Canyon team the previous week. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills wide receiver Jon Jack Shigo hangs onto a pass to make the reception against El Modena 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. Casa de Tortuga Is Just Simply Crawling With Tortoises: 450 of Them. . We were terrified going into practice that week. Coach Esperanza also attended the clinic to learn more about the game of football! If you are fast, sweet but technique and knowledge will help you win all the time. The Vanguards begin North Hills League play Oct. 13 against El Dorado. Shane Whitehill II CO 25'II El Modena football II 3.6 gpa II DT, TE II Califf kicked another field goal, this one from 36 yards, to make it 14-6. 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. . It was like we had to battle to get respect from other teams. 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. El Modena HS Football Program. There was just an incredible amount of pressure (to win), McWhinney said. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I would like to get away from football film forever. In March, Snitzler was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the student, according to Rackauckas. I just tried to hide it.. Next week, El Modena takes on Villa Park while San Juan Hills plays at Tesoro. (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. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), El Modena wide receiver Blake Armstrong, left, reaches for the goal line to score a touchdown as he is grabbed by San Juan Hills defensive back Isaiah Bennett, right, in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. 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. In the second half, it was the defenses that reigned. I couldnt believe what happened.. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. 4TH DOWN: Dana Hills stops the El Modena drive on this Hayden Dendiu breakup. San Juan Hills entered 0-5 for the second consecutive season. 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. Orange Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students in all academic programs and school activities. (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. They scored 49 points in a win over Foothill on Saturday, Oct. 8. 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. Varsity Football (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. 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. A strong Vanguard team in 1978 had lost its only game of the season to Edison. Doug Rozsa remembers that El Modena had been selected to finish fourth in the Century League in 1979. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. 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. I just knew they favored Bill to come back.. 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. Bell did get back in stride in the second half, finishing with two touchdowns and a total of 134 yards rushing. And a loss for The Ted and Bob Show, which can now only be seen in reruns. This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time. The Spartans start Crestview League games at Yorba Linda on Oct. 14. Jen Amat told City News Service. View career profiles, stats, photos and video highlights. Menu Join Team. (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. I hate to see it go, but you know it has to happen. Sign In School Page; Team Page . Coming into this program when we did, in four years, to say that we flipped around a program, I cant really put words to that.. 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. 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. 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. 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.