ORANGE – The El Modena underclassmen wanted their seniors to end the season with a victory.
Vanguards sophomore safety Mayson Hitchens did his part. He had three interceptions as the El Modena defense carried the Vanguards to a 14-3 win over Foothill in the final game of the spring football season that was delayed and shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All three of Hitchens’ interceptions were in the fourth quarter of the Crestview League game at El Modena High.
El Modena finished the season with an overall record of 4-2 and a league record of 1-2. Both Vanguards losses were in league, 30-20 to Villa Park and 17-14 to Yorba Linda. Villa Park plays at Yorba Linda for the league championship Friday, April 16. Villa Park and Yorba Linda are 2-0 in league play.
Although El Modena’s game Thursday against Foothill (3-3, 0-3) was not the league championship game, it was an important game for the Vanguards.
“We came in wanting to win for the seniors, and we did it for the seniors,” said Hitchens who became a starter in the final two games. “Everything we did all season, with COVID, everything, was to make sure the seniors would play and have a great season. I’m so grateful for the season and everyone here.”
Sophomore safety Manson had three fourth-quarter interceptions for El Modena in a 14-3 win over Foothill in the final game for both teams @ocvarsityguy @ocvarsity pic.twitter.com/aGuVZ4gRIM
— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) April 16, 2021
El Modena scored its touchdowns on its first offensive play of the first quarter and its first offensive play of the fourth quarter.
Foothill received the opening kickoff, a touchback that had the Knights starting at their 20-yard line. On the Knights’ first offensive play the ball was snapped over the head of Foothill quarterback Joey Garcia. El Modena’s Aiden Ruiz recovered at the Foothill 4-yard line.
On its first play there, El Modena quarterback Jack Keays handed off to tight end Chris Harm coming around from the left end. Harm, rolling out to his right, threw to Vanguards tight end Tom Leonard to the right half of the end zone for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Foothill got its first-quarter points off of a turnover. The Knights’ Adam Fielding recovered an El Modena fumble at the El Modena 32. Foothill’s possession resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Jonathan Fobear.
Leonard, playing defensive back, made an interception in the final minute of the scoreless second quarter to end a Foothill possession that had advanced to the El Modena 33-yard line.
El Modena put together a nearly six-minute drive that started with 5:47 to go in the third quarter and covered 71 yards on 11 plays. It ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Owen Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter to create the final 14-3 score.
The Vanguards defense held Foothill senior running back Roman Pistone to 45 yards on 15 carries. Pistone went into the game averaging 122 rushing yards a game.
Smith rushed for 74 yards and the touchdown on 21 carries. He also had three receptions for 33 yards. El Modena’s Keays, after incompletions on his first four throws, finished with 11 completions on 22 passes for 100 yards.
Vanguards coach Matt Mitchell said the El Modena players were intent on making the final week of the season a gratifying one for the team’s seniors.
“The young guys realized how special it is,” Mitchell said. “I’m glad everybody was able to get out here and play and do this.”
El Modena was third in the Crestview League last season with a 1-2 league record and finished 5-6 overall.
Foothill shut out El Modena last season 10-0 in a nonleague game and won the North Hills League championship on its way to an 11-1 season.
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