Orange Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students in all academic programs and school activities. 435-652-7628. It was this kind of stress that Lester acknowledged as the main reason he decided to resign Tuesday, after compiling a 157-58-8 record and winning three Southern Conference championships in two decades at the school. Varsity Football Chris Dunham Nov 3 Shane Whitehill continues to rack up sacks with another one to force Pasadena to Punt! Sign In School Page; Team Page . Dan is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, where he worked at The Daily Titan as a news reporter, sports reporter, managing editor and opinion editor. It was a sobering experience. Phone. Ive probably spent literally years watching film.. 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The pressure was so enormous . Chambers caught three passes for 115 yards. Subscribe today. El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his team's "first challenge" so far but his team easily passed. When the Dolphins last sniffed playoff contention in 2019, they were fighting for a spot in Division 12. Sign In School Page; Team Page Schedule Roster Videos/Photos . 8 games started at WR. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. Reach Another Level with a Private Utah Football Coach. 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 "I didn't think we'd be. 14 El Modena answered its question emphatically Friday night with a well-rounded 29-6 victory against No. Other coaches surely envy his staff, which includes 20-year assistants Glenn Lukenbill and Bob Radford, 18-year assistant Dale Arambel, 12-year assistants Pete Parker and Bill Backstrom, and 5-year assistant Al Clinton. Bill Gibbons is like a living legend around here, he said. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Team talk with a humble, two-way baller @HitchensMayson of 5-0 @elmodenafb @ElmoHSAthletics @OrangeUnifiedCA @OSmith_5 @elishah_jackett @ocvarsity @SteveFryer pic.twitter.com/XgrWOXB4Ar, Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) September 24, 2022. And a loss for The Ted and Bob Show, which can now only be seen in reruns. Senior Hayden Dendiu made his second of two huge defensive stops to break up an El Modena pass on fourth down in the final minute of regulation. Hell admit that, by all rights, his team should not have had a remote hope of winning the game. 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. Steve Fryer covers high school sports at the Orange County Register. Get new customers and drive traffic to your business. In that time, Crow had won a Central Conference title, and finished runner-up once as well. High School El Modena City Orange, CA; Class 2023; Watch Highlights. All-Time Roster - El Modena Vanguards Football (Orange, CA) - MaxPreps.com But while Lester admits that his staff does most of the coaching, many final decisions rest on his shoulders. Menu Join Team. The Spartans, who are No. 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. 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.. 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. The drama at the school, located at 3900 block of E. Spring St., unfolded at 11 a.m. on April 23 when the Snitzler's brother -- who was inside the school with him -- called Orange police, Orange Sgt. El Modena Captains getting ready for the coin toss against Yorba Linda! To climax the series of plays, he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass, and El Modena tied the score, 7-7. El Modena's players approached it differently. 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. That lasted about a minute and a half, Lester said. 2018 Varsity assistant at El Modena HS. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? He turned a program that once had problems having a winning season into a program that was a big winner. (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 . CIF-SS Division 5 first round. Honestly, I think Im more happy than sad. View career profiles, stats, photos and video highlights. A week ago last Monday, Jamison's wife, Savannah . Sign In School Page; Team Page . If winning was unlikely, winning in the absence of Frasco was unthinkable. Lester had great rapport with his assistant coaches and players. (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. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. He won Associated Press Sports Editors awards for game-story writing in 2001, feature-story writing in 2017 and breaking news in 2019. . 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. If you lost here, it wouldnt be accepted. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. You hate to lose, San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said before the game of the schedule. The Vanguards gave up a double-digit number of points for the first time this season. (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. 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. With all that hard work I was able to play with the Bills and learn from top guys like Stefan diggs and Gabe Davis. 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. Head Coach Myers, Michael Offensive Line Mitchell, Joe Assistant Coach Mendoza, Joe . Dana Point Trolley Information & Route Map, Dana Wharf Whale Report: Gray Whale Migration Sees Early Northbound, Late Southbound Traffic, Local Singer-Songwriter Ava August Releases Latest Single, City Launches 2nd Whale Tail Scavenger Hunt, Kneeboards and Stampedes: Local surfers shine in a weekend of wild surf contests up and down the Golden State. 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. Kelly Bills - Football Coach - Utah Tech University Athletics No. (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. 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. Subscribe now. This coach is unavailable to take clients at this time. Dana Hills needed a stop to win its first playoff game since 2009, but El Modena needed just four plays to earn the win. Brandon Camarillo - History Teacher - LinkedIn Email. Fit to Be Tied - Los Angeles Times I couldnt believe what happened.. El Modena beats Villa Park in football for the first time in 15 years (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. 877-845-6272. 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), San Juan Hills quarterback Michael Butter Tollefson, left, scrambles as he is chased out of the pocket by an El Modena defender in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. The Chargers also had tight end Mark Boyer, who went on to play at USC and is now employed by the Indianapolis Colts; linebacker Ray Malavasi, son of the former Ram coach, and tight end Duaine Jackson, another subsequent USC starter. 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. Every time he talks, he makes me feel so good . The Dolphins were assessed nine penalties for 125 total yards. . Athletics - El Modena High School Barrett said the success has made the transition much easier. 21 San Juan Hills at San Juan Hills High. Went to Orange HS. I played HS football in the toughest league in CA, the trinity league at Servite HS. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), 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. (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. Some coaches, especially those who had been on the staff for a long time before accepting the head coaching job, say replacing a very successful coach was not much of a problem at all. In football or economic terms, those fans got a colossal bargain. Back then the CIF-SS divisions were still geographic and league-based, and the Dolphins played in the tough Pac-5 Division. El Modena also lost two championship games in overtime, the first in 1980 to Lynwood (14-13), and the second in 1981 to Foothill (21-14). 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. Coach Biagini, Matthew Coach Garcia, Richard Coach Contact 600 W Santa Ana Blvd Ste 705 Santa Ana, CA 92701 (929) 322-4007 [email protected] . 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. I didnt tell anyone for a while. Nobody imagined the talented quarterback would have his arm broken from a second-quarter tackle and be lost for the rest of the season. 2015-2017 Varsity assistant at Garden Grove HS. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. Steve Clark is the tight ends coach for BYU, while son Jamison is a member of the Utah Tech football staff. In 2015, Dan received the Bud Dwyer Jr. media award from the Southern California High School Football Coaches Association. I think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. McWhinney, then only 25, took over for his former high school coach, Ernie Johnson. (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. I think were good, Mitchell said. by Dana Point Times. In his first season, Henney got this Dolphins' program to set its sights higher and showed that it belonged . Entering his 20th season as the Vanguards coach, Lester, 55, figured he would delegate most of the workload to his fine group of assistants, oversee the operation, and try to relax and enjoy football for a change. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. El Modenas Mayson Hitchens, left, gets through the San Juan Hills defense to score a touchdown in the first quarter in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. 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. Orange County Varsity Coach Charged For 10-Hour Police Standoff Add Video. El Modena sophomore quarterback Xzavior Guess completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. "We worked. Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. San Juan Hills entered 0-5 for the second consecutive season. We will be working the core, dynamic warm ups and then depended on how the client moves different tools for their tool box. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 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 . Foothill and El Modena have been going at it for about 35 years now, and the series is even, 17 wins apiece with three ties. El Modena Football Roster | Blast Athletics He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. For the team with the broken-armed quarterback, the mascot that waddles, the set of identical triplets on the line and a 20-pound disadvantage at nearly every position, Sept. 29th still marks the best of the good times. 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. I just knew they favored Bill to come back.. El Modena HS Varsity Football. (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. Snitzler surrendered to police about 8:45 p.m., Amat said. 15 Offers 4 Visits 0 Coach Visits. Frasco attended Weber State for a year before transferring to Santa Ana College and then on to San Jose State. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. I was in way over my head. Dolphins take over on the 31, 17-17, 1:14 to go. In nine years, Cuccias teams won seven Olympic League championships, compiled a 180-49 overall record and reached the Southern Section final three times. Incredible. 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. "I think we're good," Mitchell said. 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.. We sat down every day during our office period and bounced things off each other. Chief among them was senior quarterback Bo Kelly, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns. @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. By 2017, the El Modena football program was . 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. 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 You have to give the other team credit for that.. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. Fall Sports - El Modena High School As the fog descended upon Fred Kelly Stadium, Dana Hills went blow-for-blow against a physical and tested El Modena squad. The charges Snitzler is facing could result in a more than 10-year prison sentence, according to Rackauckas. Varsity Football (2021 - 2022) Team Record (8 - 5, 0 - 3) Roster (91) . But Rush, who had been an assistant to Crow for 10 years, said the pressure was minimal, if any. No one wins the Sunset League three times in a row. 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. Smith, a senior who also is El Modenas leading rusher, on Thursday rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. 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. I didnt think wed be dominating like this, but we knew this was a special group of guys.. 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(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. Im serious. @bills_kelly. 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. Thirteen members of that Edison team received football scholarships. Villa Park struggled to establish an offensive flow and wounding up using two quarterbacks. How good are the Vanguards? Dolphins are eliminated in first playoff appearance since 2013 in Division 5 opener. El Modenas players approached it differently. And he still yells at me if I do something wrong, and still pats me on the back when I do something right.. The thing was, they wanted Bob to continue coaching, but they also realized that (his years of coaching) were numbered. (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. The stress never seemed to affect Lester, though. 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. . This is exactly the type of training we were looking for. 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. All League 1st Team WR (2006) But if there was any pressure, it was self-made. it was bad karma, said Scott Strosnider, a starter on the 1979 Edison team. 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. Lesters career coaching record is 213-86-10, for a winning percentage of .706. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports. Dana Hills Football Pushes to Overtime at El Modena, Falls in First CIF-SS Playoff Game in 8 Years. 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. Varsity Football Why did two drives stall? Im tired of that.. 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. It was Kelly and the Dolphins quick-strike offense that put Dana Hills in control in the first half, 14-10. November 5, 2021 12:21AM . It was like we had to battle to get respect from other teams. . He writes a weekly column on the county high school sports scene and also covers games and writes features. One of the Captains of 1989 CIF Finalist team with Tom Meiss as head coach. 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. @bokellyy @omarjayeblack1 @OwenCha16498928, Dana Hills leads El Modena, 14-10, 2:40 2Q. TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills strikes back. Dan's passion for water sports has earned him the nickname, Aqua Dan, in the newsroom and taken him to multiple U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and many USA water polo events as a reporter. Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. Gardening Stuff & Plant cuttings Exchange Feb 11th Irvine Great Park.]. Ask Bob Lester, Vanguard coach. Lewis appeared to be dealing with a leg injury after the contest. Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? Its a tough act to follow.. If we didnt, I think theyd be calling for my neck. The only problem I was feeling was that we always expected so much success at El Modena, Backstrom said. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. Football - El Modena High School We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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 . Dana Hills remained in front thanks to an enormous defensive play by Dendiu. 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(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.