September has been a great month for the Tesoro football program and, in particular, its starting quarterback, Devon Modster.
The junior has guided his team to three straight wins against quality opponents, and in the process, has earned his first scholarship offer, from the University of Arizona.
Modster and the Titans will have an opportunity to put an exclamation mark on the first full month of the regular season later this week when they host undefeated Corona del Mar in what will be the final nonleague game for both O.C. top-10 schools.
The Sea Kings will put the state’s longest current winning streak (30 games) on the line against a Tesoro team that could be its toughest test yet.
In addition to Modster, CdM will see a familiar face in running back Anthony Battista. As a sophomore in 2013, Battista rushed for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns as a member of the Sea Kings’ 16-0 state championship squad. Battista transferred to Tesoro over the summer and is now starting in the backfield alongside Modster.
The shifty junior back leads the Titans in rushing (264 yards) and is second in receiving (139 yards) through four games. A big game from Battista would go a long way toward helping the Titans snap the Sea Kings’ winning streak.
With two of the top defenses in the county squaring off, points will be at a premium Friday night.
NO STOPPING THIS RAIDER
Sonora running back Jacob Fimbres leads the county with 12 touchdowns and is fourth overall in rushing yards (568). Because of the junior’s stellar start, the Raiders are 4-0 headed into their bye week.
“We’re excited for these kids,” said Sonora coach Paul Chiotti. “Last year was a big learning experience for our team. We started a lot of sophomores and juniors. We had a tough year. But we’ve got a group of hard-working kids who came together as a result.”
Fimbres has rushed for at least 160 yards in three games this season. He is getting the help of a veteran offensive line – Jorge Bernabe, Octavio Delgadillo, Richard Negrete, Julian Orozco, Christian Dimas and Thomas Avila – that returned five starters.
“Our offensive line has been our strength,” Chiotti said. “They’re a physical bunch who like to get after it in the games and at practice. They communicate so well with one another, and have been opening up some big holes for Jacob.”
RAISING AWARENESS
Friday night’s nonleague game between Villa Park and El Modena will be dedicated to two young Spartan fans – James and Jayden Albaugh – who suffer from a rare muscle disorder.
James, 8, and Jayden, 4, are battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a disease that causes muscle degeneration, affecting only about 15,000 boys in the United States to date. To help raise both awareness and funds for DMD, Villa Park is encouraging anyone attending Friday night’s game to wear a lime green t-shirt – the color associated with finding a cure for DMD.
The Spartans and Vanguards play at El Modena High on Friday at 7 p.m. Part of the proceeds from Friday will be donated to the fight against DMD.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
