ORANGE – El Modena stayed in the thick of the playoff picture with a 31-0 victory over El Dorado in a North Hills League game Friday at El Modena High.
The Vanguards (3-6, 1-1) need a victory over Canyon (3-6, 2-0) in the regular-season finale next week to force at least a two-way tie for first place and a likely berth in the Southwest Division playoffs.
There could be a three-way tie if Brea Olinda (4-5, 1-1) beats El Dorado (0-9, 0-2).
“I just think our kids came out ready to play,” El Modena Coach Ed Drzanek said. “Now it makes that last game very interesting for a lot of people. Now we play a team that is red hot right now in Canyon.”
The biggest key to the Vanguards’ victory was their ground game.
Dillon Keefe led the way with 128 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Keefe’s second touchdown came on a 50-yard run off a superbly executed fake punt that gave El Modena a 19-0 second-quarter lead.
Kenneth Lamb, who recently came back from an ankle injury, ran for 102 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries before sitting out most of the second half.
The Vanguards had three interceptions, including one returned 58 yards for a touchdown by Clint Woodark.
Sam Gutierrez and Robert Laviguer had the other two interceptions for El Modena.
The loss eliminated the Golden Hawks from playoff contention.
Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com
