Lambs lead El Modena past Segerstrom, 47-27

El Modena's Kenneth Lamb tries to get past Segerstrom's Izaac Santos during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
Segerstrom head coach Mike Maceranka gives senior Abel Diaz a hug after their 47-27 loss to El Modena in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Dillon Keefe, left, helps lead the Vanguards' celebration after their 47-27 victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena celebrates their 47-27 victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
The El Modena cheerleaders support their team in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena head coach Edward Drzanek talk with players during the Vanguards' 47-27 victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena fans cheer on their team during the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
Segerstrom's Christopher Ferman leads the Jaguars onto the field before their 47-27 loss to El Modena in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
The El Modena mascot gets in on the cheering during the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Clint Tyler Wodark stops Segerstrom's Gabriel Lopez during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
The Segerstrom band performs during the Jaguars' loss to El Modena in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Brady Lyon chases down Segerstrom's JC Caravez during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
Members of the El Modena color guard perform during halftime of the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena fans cheer on their team during the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
Members of the El Modena color guard perform during halftime of the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Kenneth Lamb avoids being tackled during a 47-27 victory over Segerstrom.
Members of the El Modena marching band perform during halftime of the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Michael Fuentes throws Segerstrom's Abel Diaz to the ground during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
The Segerstrom cheerleaders support their team during the Jaguars' loss to El Modena in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena quarterback A.J. Esperanza throws a pass to set up a Vanguard touchdown during their 31-point first half against Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
A member of the El Modena marching band performs during halftime of the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Frankie Islas hauls in a first half touchdown reception past Segerstrom's Arturo Cortes during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena fans cheer on their team during the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena's Dillon Keefe celebrates a first half touchdown past Segerstrom's Arturo Cortes during the Vanguards' 31-point first half in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.
El Modena fans cheer on their team during the Vanguards' victory over Segerstrom in the second round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange Thursday night.

By Kenny Connolly | kconnolly@scng.com | Orange County Register

November 19, 2015 at 11:18 p.m.

ORANGE – There was nothing silent about the Lambs on Thursday evening.

El Modena senior running back Kenneth Lamb compiled 136 rushing yards and accounted for two touchdowns, and senior receiver Greg Lamb opened the contest with a 53-yard touchdown catch that sparked the Vanguards’ 47-27 victory over Segerstrom in a CIF-SS Southern Division game at El Modena High.

By winning with its season high for points scored, El Modena (8-4) advances to the semifinals for the second consecutive year. It will play the winner of Saturday’s Canyon-Katella matchup.

The Vanguards would be the home team next week if they play Canyon, but would travel to Glover Stadium if Katella wins.

“It feels great, because right now in that final group of eight, anybody can beat anybody,” El Modena coach Ed Drzanek said. “I was glad our kids came out to play and win. It’s a tribute to the Jaguars and their staff, they didn’t lay down… But I’m really excited about our team and how it responded. We’re starting to hit our stride again.”

As effective as the Vanguards running game was in the second half, it was the vertical passing attack that moved the chains early on.

Sophomore quarterback AJ Esperanza threw for 140 of his 156 yards in the first half, hitting Greg Lamb and Frankie Islas for scores that covered 53 and 32 yards.

El Modena raced out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and took a 31-14 edge into the half.

After sprinting his way to an 88-yard kickoff return touchdown in the second quarter, Kenneth Lamb’s first touch of the third quarter resulted in a 77-yard touchdown run that put the Vanguards up, 38-14.

“(The passing game) really opened things up for me,” Lamb explained. “Untouched on that long run. Our receivers and quarterback did such a great job. The o-line protected, and it opened things up for me.”

The Jaguars were hurt by a pair of turnovers that resulted in 14 points for El Modena.

Segerstom (8-3-1) failed to have a rusher top the 60-yard plateau as it finished with 158 yards rushing on 44 carries, an average of 3.6 yards per attempt.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com