El Modena Victorious

One half of junior running back Ross Bauer was all El Modena High School needed Friday night in routing Santa Ana Valley, 40-14, in the Century League opener before 2,000 in Santa Ana Stadium.

Bauer rushed for 171 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in the opening half, then took the second half off as the No. 1-ranked Vanguards (4-0) breezed to the victory.

Quarterback Chris Gallego threw touchdown passes as El Modena built a 27-0 halftime. Gallego threw a 45-yard scoring pass play to Rick Stillman on El Modena’s first possession of the third quarter, then retired as Coach Bob Lester put in his reserves.

Santa Ana Valley averted a shutout with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter and scored again at the final gun on the game’s most unusual play--halfback Michael Whitlock shoveling a 5-yard desperation pass to Tim Robinson as Whitlock was tackled.