ORANGE – El Modena survived several momentum swings and a steady Woodbridge rushing attack before holding on for a 14-9 nonleague victory Friday night at El Modena.
El Modena didn’t breathe easy until defensive back Jacob Gonzalez intercepted a Woodbridge quarterback Michael Pritchett pass deep in El Modena territory with 2:09 left. Gonzalez returned the interception 64 yards, securing the victory.
“I’m really starting to believe this team is special,” El Modena coach Ed Drzanek said. “They basically work hard. I’m not saying they’re not talented either, but their best attribute is the way they back each other.”
The contributions for El Modena (1-0) were balanced, but running back Kenneth Lamb emerged as a catalyst in the second half. He had 81 of his team-high 105 rushing yards on 14 carries after the break, when the Vanguards were clinging to a 7-6 lead.
Lamb’s 4-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter capped El Modena’s first possession of the second half.
The fluid, run-filled drive was similar to how Woodbridge (0-2) moved the ball throughout the game behind power runner Conner McBride’s 141 yards on 24 carries.
Woodbridge never reached the end zone and needed kicker Ryan Eisendrath’s impressive right leg to stay in the game. Eisendrath made all three of his field-goal attempts – from distances of 42, 43 and 21 yards.
On a third-and-15 play with 3:33 left, Woodbridge’s Pritchett lofted a pass high in the air that receiver Zach Kennedy and Gonzalez battled to bring down. Gonzalez was called for a pass-interference penalty on the play, giving Woodbridge the ball at the El Modena 25.
Two plays later, Woodbridge had an apparent 25-yard touchdown pass negated by a holding penalty. Then, on fourth down, Gonzalez came up with his game-clinching interception.
