The Stallions have again played a strong schedule. But the coaches told us, Theyre the same age as you. Lester, who had been the coach since the school opened in 1966, won three. Its not easy to sever something thats been important to you for so long, but I know that on the weekends, when everyone else is out playing, were here 10 hours Saturday and 10 hours Sunday, watching film and eating Jack-in-The-Box hotdogs, Lester said. @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. @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1 @OwenCha16498928, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 14-10, 2:40 2Q. They have outscored their opponents 217-28. Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. 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. Mullen eventually made it to Foothill, where the Knight-Vanguard rivalry in the Century League and in the playoffs evolved as one of the countys best. Barrett replaced former Seahawk Coach Bill Gibbons after Gibbons was fired last June. There also was tailback Kerwin Bell, perhaps the best ever to grace Orange Countys playing fields. Ive learned from some of your favorite players and taught some of them some things I do well at the WR position. ; 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. Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles, Qualified Private Coach . Lesters career coaching record is 213-86-10, for a winning percentage of .706. Under those circumstances, I accepted. It has also been harder and harder to lose. Already a member? Sign up here. Ledesma completed 6 of 11 passes for 139 yards in the second half against the Chargers. But at the end of the day, (the schedule) is good for us. El Modena outscored its previous four opponents a combined 160-9 and stuck to that script from the start. And he wouldnt wish the experience on anyone. El Modenas defense and special teams delivered its offense excellent field possession early in the fourth quarter and Hitchens capped a 21-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run to make it 29-0. 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. We always had something to prove.. Lewis appeared to be dealing with a leg injury after the contest. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), Villa Park tight end Jeremiah Leftwich, left, reaches for the goal line to score a touchdown over El Modenas Ryan Holzgang in non-league football game in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. 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. With all that hard work I was able to play with the Bills and learn from top guys like Stefan diggs and Gabe Davis. El Modena (11-0) advances to next week's second round against Friday's Bishop Diego-Vista Murrieta winner, while Pasadena, which started the season with a 15-14 loss to La Serna, ends the way. . Twitter. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. 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. (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. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. El Segundo 4, Torrance 2. . After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. He always made me feel like I was part of the decision making, and kind of groomed me for the job, I think. It really opened our eyes. Next week, El Modena plays Foothill in a nonleague game on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Tustin High. Collecting Controversy : The curios and figurines of a racist past are hot properties. That makes a big difference, I think.. 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. 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. 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. No. He dodged out to the 20-yard line, where he was hit by an Edison safety. puts a smile on my face. Father and son will be on opposite sidelines when the two teams meet next Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Former El Modena High School coach Michael James Snitzler, 26, was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor unlawful sexual intercourse and child annoyance following investigating by Orange police . 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), 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. When the defense came on the field, he exited for the hospital, where X-rays revealed he had broken his forearm. El Modena HS Football Program. I will focus on technique and being efficient in and out of breaks. Its not the game that Lester is leaving. @dhhs_athletics @hdendiu pic.twitter.com/I3WMFdMhOk. Armstrong ran a wheel route and scored with 15 seconds left in the period. Guess rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. DP Times Daily 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. The transition, they say, was surprisingly smooth because they shared many of the same philosophies and strategies as the former coach. I just tried to hide it.. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. Yet, some witnesses still claim that it was the most exciting game they had ever seen. 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. We hadnt beaten them since 2007.. 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 use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Advertise with us. The records--Edison (8-3), El Modena (13-1). The Vanguards ran for 280 yards and four . Athletics - El Modena High School El Modena High School Athletic Director: Ed Drzanek EMHS Athletics Showcase Message EMHS Athletics Showcase Message Loading. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. El Modenas game-opening possession ended when the Vanguards failed to convert on fourth-and-2 at the Villa Park 40 when Smith was tackled by Eddie Rodriguez for a 1-yard loss. 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 lasted about a minute and a half, Lester said. A week ago last Monday, Jamison's wife, Savannah . Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! Personalized, one-on-one instruction is the secret to improved skills and increased confidence. (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. Then he could stand the growing pain no more. The Vanguards begin North Hills League play Oct. 13 against El Dorado. 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. @dhhs_athletics pic.twitter.com/dsg4t9Eerl. In the second half, it was the defenses that reigned. Though Lester listed stress as a reason for retiring, most perceive him as one of the countys most easygoing, relaxed coaches. Photo: Zach Cavanagh. 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 . Barrett said the success has made the transition much easier. 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). 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. And he still yells at me if I do something wrong, and still pats me on the back when I do something right.. Picket Fence Media is a proud member of the SoCal Media Network. El Modena's players approached it differently. I was in way over my head. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . The Vanguards gave up a double-digit number of points for the first time this season. This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time. Linebacker Weston Port contributed to two sacks to help lead the Stallions defense. @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. A strong Vanguard team in 1978 had lost its only game of the season to Edison. In the second quarter, El Modena drove 55 yards on nine plays for another touchdown. Time kept rolling and the half ended. In 2015, Dan received the Bud Dwyer Jr. media award from the Southern California High School Football Coaches Association. He put in just as many hours on the weekends, just as much work, and just as much worry. Bill Gibbons is like a living legend around here, he said. I dont like to lose, and it gets to the point where you tend to dwell on the negative. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. Adams 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Leftwich with 2:29 remaining in the game completed the scoring. Key to the game--Much will depend on the effectiveness of the El Modena defense, particularly the Vanguards untested secondary. The Chargers destroyed Canyon, 43-14. Shoutout to Coach Mitchell for presenting and sharing his insights at the 2023 Los Angeles Football Coaching Clinic! Subscribe today. 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. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. 1-ranked football team in California, the Edison Chargers, dont care to remember that particular game. Subscriptions Zach is a multiple California Journalism Award winner and has covered sports in Orange County since 2013. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. September 29, 1979, was a strange kind of Saturday night in Orange. Ask Bob Lester, Vanguard coach. Varsity Football (2019 - 2020) Team Record (5 - 6, 1 - 2) Roster (57) . 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. Incredible. The pressure was so enormous . I walked on at BYU and learned the WR position my whole time there transitioning from QB to WR. Grew up in Orange. In his 20 years at El Modena, Lester has had just two losing seasons, in 1969 (2-6-1) and 1973 (3-5-1). Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. I have no industry certifications but I love the game of football especially the WR position. He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. Nobody imagined the talented quarterback would have his arm broken from a second-quarter tackle and be lost for the rest of the season. Nothing cures more ills than success . Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Black caught three passes for 84 yards. 877-845-6272. El Modena stuck to its running attack, and in the past that mightve gotten Dana Hills, but the Dolphins met the challenge. (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. (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. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability. Menu Join Team. We worked really hard for this game, said El Modena senior defensive tackle Esteban Choucair. Hes had such a good thing going with the parents and the players, its tough to see him leave.. Steve Clark is the tight ends coach for BYU, while son Jamison is a member of the Utah Tech football staff. I think everyone understood the situation, he said. It turned out to be one of those storybook seasons, really, Brown said. Smith help set up the score with a 43-yard run to the San Juan Hills 30. In football or economic terms, those fans got a colossal bargain. Dan Albano has been a high school sports writer at The Orange County Register since 1993. Located in an unincorporated area between Tustin and Orange,. . (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. In his 14 years at El Rancho, Johnson had led the school to five Southern Section championship games, winning three. The key was holding Kerwin Bell, Frasco said. El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. Why did two drives stall? Im tired of that.. At least with having the others there, it wasnt like bringing in an entirely new program. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. "Our negotiators (talked) to him for several hours and finally convinced him to give himself up peacefully," Amat said. 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. 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. The Vanguards are ranked No. Many county coaches side with Backstrom in that replacing a successful coach isnt too difficult--especially when the former coach helps when he can. Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. Varsity Football If we didnt, I think theyd be calling for my neck. "I didn't think we'd be. El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his team's "first challenge" so far but his team easily passed. View all coaching experience. 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. After that, Ledesma came on (during the remainder of the season) and became one of the finest quarterbacks we ever had.. El Modenas players approached it differently. At Whittier Christian, basketball Coach Bob Brown replaced Bill Cuccia last year after Cuccia resigned. The stress never seemed to affect Lester, though. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Oct 22 Elmo warming up for Brea-Olinda! 25 Feb 2023 01:23:28 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. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? 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. I love our kids and the time we had together was really a lot of fun.. To them, it was noteworthy only because it was the second-to-last time they lost a game for three seasons. Casa de Tortuga Is Just Simply Crawling With Tortoises: 450 of Them. Snitzler was employed as an assistant varsity football coach during the time he was alleged to have been involved with the student. Afrookhteh knocked through a 26-yard field goal to put Dana Hills ahead, 20-17. Player Rating i 247Sports. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills fans cheer as their team takes the field before the start of the game against El Modena in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. El Modena Captains getting ready for the coin toss against Yorba Linda! Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. (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. Went to Orange HS. 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. There was pain, and it was just kind of flopping around. Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Find trainers in your area You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. . 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. Im serious. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), An El Modena cheerleader entertains the crowd with a series of flips before the start of the game against Villa Park in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. 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), 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. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer). I wasnt sure, but I had a pretty good idea it was busted, he said. 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. (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. Los Angeles, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78. In the end, the ultimate responsibility comes back to me, Lester said. CLICK HERE FOR THE EL MODENA FOOTBALL BLAST PAGE. Chambers caught three passes for 115 yards. I dont think it wasnt until the fourth of fifth game of the season that I could actually smile.. Gardening Stuff & Plant cuttings Exchange Feb 11th Irvine Great Park.]. There was just an incredible amount of pressure (to win), McWhinney said. If we hadnt had a winning season, Im sure there might have been complaints, Rush said. He turned a program that once had problems having a winning season into a program that was a big winner. Go in there and do a job. . San Juan Hills entered 0-5 for the second consecutive season. El Modena got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. As the fog descended upon Fred Kelly Stadium, Dana Hills went blow-for-blow against a physical and tested El Modena squad. Doug Rozsa remembers that El Modena had been selected to finish fourth in the Century League in 1979. "I think we're good," Mitchell said. (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. Dolphins are eliminated in first playoff appearance since 2013 in Division 5 opener. I think were good, Mitchell said. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), A El Modena cheerleader takes a selfie as she is held up by fellow cheerleaders before the game against Villa Park in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. I think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. All League 1st Team WR (2006) Menu Join Team. In other words, dont go out and mess up a good program.. Coaches Contact List - Click Here UPDATED PHYSICALS INFORMATION 2022-2023: INFORMATION ON PHYSICALS Physical Examination Form Health History Form Coach Esperanza also attended the clinic to learn more about the game of football! 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. 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. Last week, El Modena beat La Habra 43-6. We knew he was a skilled kid, but we really hadnt worked with him. 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. El Modena sophomore quarterback Xzavior Guess completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. OCDA alleges that he initiated the 10-hour standoff with police while armed in . But in Backstroms first season, the Vanguards failed to advance to the Southern Section playoffs. 90 OT . The only problem I was feeling was that we always expected so much success at El Modena, Backstrom said. While the program needs to increase its numbers and Henney wants to see improvement in the weight room, Henney also hopes those leading Dolphins of the future take their cues from these Class of 2022 seniors. In his first season, Henney got this Dolphins' program to set its sights higher and showed that it belonged . Zach Cavanagh is the sports editor for Picket Fence Media. In the second half, cornerback Eddie Martinez chipped in an interception to help the Vanguards defense.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tn Covid Test Reimbursement Form,
What Happened To Dawson In Chicago Fire,
Cross Creek Ranch West,
Articles E