Hes great! We were so damn scared of them. But in Backstroms first season, the Vanguards failed to advance to the Southern Section playoffs. Time kept rolling and the half ended. Its tough love (to get ready for league and CIF).. Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. 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. I think were 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.. I hate to see it go, but you know it has to happen. 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. . Snitzler is currently in custody being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. Kelly Bills is in his second season as Dixie State's offensive coordinator. El Modena Varsity Football Roster | Blast Athletics 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. TOUCHDOWN: Dana Hills responds lightning fast. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Sign up here. Phone. Before the game, Lester had grimly predicted, "We don't. In that time, Errion led Corona del Mar to three Southern Section championship games, of which the school won two. People around here expect results, and they expect them quick. El Modena coach Matt Mitchell considered San Juan Hills (0-6) his teams first challenge so far but his team easily passed. Especially because the Diablos finished last season 12-1 overall. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The records--Edison (8-3), El Modena (13-1). 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 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. Frasco had been such a fine quarterback the year before, and we knew he would be such a great one that we wanted to work with him. Orange County Varsity Coach Charged For 10-Hour Police Standoff Our defense played well tonight, said El Modena coach Matt Mitchell. The pair worked together for three years before Mullen left to coach at Villa Park. Bob is kind of a classic guy, and his resignation is a loss for Orange County football.. (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. Marty McWhinney knows what its like to come in on the heels of a legend. Head Coach Myers, Michael Offensive Line Mitchell, Joe Assistant Coach Mendoza, Joe . 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. After El Modernas 14 play drive, Kelly hits Chambers for 56 yards and Black on this 19 yard TD pass. 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 . 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 Vanguards have 1139 players on their Football all-time roster. Find trainers in your area None of the 6,500 people who sat transfixed in Fred Kelly Stadium will ever forget it, either. Many county high school coaches can relate to that experience. 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. 2022-23 NCAA Guide For College Bound Student-Athlete (PDF), 2020-21 NCAA International Student-Athlete Guide, 2021-22 Equity in Athletics Report (EADA), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), TicketSmarter - Official Ticket Resale Partner, 2021 Trailblazer Football Tailgate Information. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. City News Service contributed to this report. Steve Barrett, Ocean Views baseball coach, knows the feeling. 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. In his 14 years at El Rancho, Johnson had led the school to five Southern Section championship games, winning three. 435-652-7628. Varsity Football (2021 - 2022) Team Record (8 - 5, 0 - 3) Roster (91) . 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. CoachUp now makes private football coaching affordable and convenient for athletes of all ages and skill levels. 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. Los Angeles, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78. (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. Today, some of the Vanguards are college students, such as the Rozsa triplets, who attend UCLA. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Californias snowpack is approaching an all-time record, with more on the way. Varsity Football Youre going to be bummed out. I have a passion for playing the WR position and you will get the very best from me. @bills_kelly. We will be working the core, dynamic warm ups and then depended on how the client moves different tools for their tool box. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. The Spartans, who are No. After spending 11 years as his assistant, Bill Backstrom replaced Bob Lester as El Modena football coach in 1985. El Modena HS Varsity Football. Speaking of bad luck, the El Modena Vanguards--or the Ducks as their colorful coach prefers--actually had to absorb the majority of it. In the second half, cornerback Eddie Martinez chipped in an interception to help the Vanguards defense. In 2015, Dan received the Bud Dwyer Jr. media award from the Southern California High School Football Coaches Association. Smith punctuated the possession with a 6-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion after a penalty by San Juan Hills. Three weeks later, the Heralds won the 2-AA title. Subscribe now. If we hadnt had a winning season, Im sure there might have been complaints, Rush said. I think everyone understood the situation, he said. Varsity Football (2019 - 2020) Team Record (5 - 6, 1 - 2) Roster (57) . Ledesma completed 6 of 11 passes for 139 yards in the second half against the Chargers. El Modena football makes statement by sprinting past San Juan Hills 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. McWhinney, then only 25, took over for his former high school coach, Ernie Johnson. (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. El Modena's players approached it differently. Blake Califf kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Spartans on top 3-0 midway through the first quarter. Quarterback Michael Tollefson powered the drive with his running and finished with 63 yards on the ground. Already have an account? The rivalry wont be the same without him. Played football at S.A. College. But at the end of the day, (the schedule) is good for us. 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. 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. 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. 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. I hated going to play at El Modena; I just never liked the place . 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. Menu Join Team. Then he could stand the growing pain no more. The Chargers destroyed Canyon, 43-14. . Many county coaches side with Backstrom in that replacing a successful coach isnt too difficult--especially when the former coach helps when he can. El Modena had possession, and Frasco was scrambling near his teams end zone. Dana Hills football. Perhaps, running back Jim Torok paid him the ultimate compliment in 1981, when he said: Hes the best. Lester had a kind of empty feeling. The Vanguards back-up quarterback, Rick Ledesma, had never thrown a pass in a varsity game. El Modena beats Villa Park in football for the first time in 15 years We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Late interception ends Pasadena's upset bid in first round of the CIF The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The charges Snitzler is facing could result in a more than 10-year prison sentence, according to Rackauckas. We sat down every day during our office period and bounced things off each other. Adams completed his final six passes to finish with 68 yards passing and a touchdown. Brandon Camarillo - History Teacher - LinkedIn I think if there was a time that people might have second-guessed me, that couldve been it.. No. I dont like to lose, and it gets to the point where you tend to dwell on the negative. (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. When Edisons Dino Bell fumbled the kick-off, El Modena simply held on to the ball for the victory. Its other loss also was to an undefeated team, Yorba Linda. Dolphins are eliminated in first playoff appearance since 2013 in Division 5 opener. And he still yells at me if I do something wrong, and still pats me on the back when I do something right.. El Modena Varsity Football (2022 - 2023) | Blast Athletics Even when you have a good win, the whole thinking is, What went wrong in the win? When the defense came on the field, he exited for the hospital, where X-rays revealed he had broken his forearm. And most agree, replacing a successful coach is not always an easy thing to do. Twitter. . 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 Football Coach in Provo, UT | Neil P. | CoachUp Email at zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com. El Modena stuck to its running attack, and in the past that mightve gotten Dana Hills, but the Dolphins met the challenge. ASA College Brooklyn, NY (2017) How good are the Vanguards? View all coaching experience. To climax the series of plays, he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass, and El Modena tied the score, 7-7. I am married with 3 children & 1 grandchild. Key to the game--Much will depend on the effectiveness of the El Modena defense, particularly the Vanguards untested secondary. 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. All-Time Roster - El Modena Vanguards Football (Orange, CA) - MaxPreps.com After El Modena, Edison won 34 of its next 35 games, setting the record for the second-longest winning streak in Southern Section history at 32. (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 . (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), San Juan Hills quarterback Michael Butter Tollefson looks to fire a pass against El Modena in a non-league football game in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 23, 2022. El Modena HS Football Program. Incredible. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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. 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. Sign in here. (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. 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. Police found a gun inside the school, she said. Athletics - El Modena High School El Modena football overpowers Santa Ana with its running game After that, Ledesma came on (during the remainder of the season) and became one of the finest quarterbacks we ever had.. I just tried to hide it.. . The awe-inspiring Edison team was led by Frank Seurer, later a professional quarterback for the Los Angeles Express and the son of the former Denver Bronco of the same name. . On Wednesday, the district attorney's office filed additional charges against Snitzler related to his alleged sexual relationship with a minor including unlawful sexual intercourse and child annoyance. Sign In School Page; Team Page . 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. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. It was a sobering experience. ORANGE - El Modena coaches tried the "it's just another game" approach to Thursday's football contest against Villa Park. Scouting Report It was a different scenario than Ive been in. Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach. I just knew they favored Bill to come back.. 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. If it did, he masked it well with his sense of humor. (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. 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. I played HS football in the toughest league in CA, the trinity league at Servite HS. Under those circumstances, I accepted. El Modena 11, Placentia Valencia 1. Coach Esperanza also attended the clinic to learn more about the game of football! He also had two receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. BYU vs. Utah Tech: Father and son coaches on opposite sidelines 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. (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. A strong Vanguard team in 1978 had lost its only game of the season to Edison. On the Dolphins ensuing possession, Kelly extended and found senior Owen Chambers deep on a 56-yard pass, and on the next play, Kelly fired it up the middle to Black on a 19-yard touchdown pass. 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. I didnt tell anyone for a while. 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. 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. I dont know if you can ask for any more. Read customer reviews and train with Neil P. 100% money back guarantee. . In that sense, my first year was tough.. No one wins the Sunset League three times in a row. Get important news and updates delivered straight to your inbox. High school baseball and softball: Friday's scores 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. The thing was, they wanted Bob to continue coaching, but they also realized that (his years of coaching) were numbered. El Modena improved its record to 6-0 while Villa Park dropped to 2-4. El Modena got the games only first-half touchdown on an 11-yard pass from Guess to Sam Astor. Menu Join Team. I didnt think wed be dominating like this, but we knew this was a special group of guys.. Steve Clark, right, and his son Jamison pose prior to a BYU football game. El Modena football overpowers El Dorado to stay undefeated Smith, a senior who also is El Modenas leading rusher, on Thursday rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. If you are fast, sweet but technique and knowledge will help you win all the time. Kelly finds Black on a screen, Black finds blockers and sprints 68 yards to the end zone. Father and son will be on opposite sidelines when the two teams meet next Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer). If winning was unlikely, winning in the absence of Frasco was unthinkable. . That wealth of knowledge, thats what I miss the most, though he still comes over and talks to us sometimes. It seemed like Kerwin Bell scored four or five touchdowns, Frasco recalled. Its my last high school football game. Sophomore Nate Lewis started but was replaced during the game by junior Cooper Adams. (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. "Our negotiators (talked) to him for several hours and finally convinced him to give himself up peacefully," Amat said. We knew he was a skilled kid, but we really hadnt worked with him. Ive learned from some of your favorite players and taught some of them some things I do well at the WR position. Its not that it hasnt been a marvelous experience--it certainly has--but Im getting more selfish with my time. 26-year-old Michael James Snitzler, a Santa Ana resident, is a former El Modena High School varsity football coach. The Spartans start Crestview League games at Yorba Linda on Oct. 14. . @ElModenaHS @emfb_mitchell @cespybaseball . (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer), The Villa Park drum major salutes during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game against El Modena in Orange on Thursday, September 29, 2022. 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. Menu Join Team. Its not the game that Lester is leaving. Lesters career coaching record is 213-86-10, for a winning percentage of .706. Santa Ana College (2007) Varsity assistant at Orange HS 1 year with Dick Hill 1997. . It Was the Best of Times, It Was El Modena Time Fit to Be Tied - Los Angeles Times When the Dolphins last sniffed playoff contention in 2019, they were fighting for a spot in Division 12. Passed Coach Course. 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. Ledesma fumbled on the two-point conversion attempt, but Adams recovered in the end zone for a 22-21 lead. Hitchens, a running back/linebacker, capped the march with a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:49 left in the period. CLICK HERE FOR THE EL MODENA FOOTBALL BLAST PAGE. That was a big disappointment because the kids had really wanted to win league and losing to them twice was a major setback toward the goal, Brown said. 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. But the pass play failed on the conversion. College basketball: So whats the deal with Oregons new floor? Prep Wednesday : Coaches Who Replace Living Legends Can Find Themselves