ORANGE COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL : Century League : Villa Park Beats El Modena to End Streak, 27-18

Villa Park High School ended seven years of frustration Friday night by getting physical in its Century League opener against El Modena, a team the Spartans hadn’t beaten since 1980.

For more than three quarters, the Spartans (4-2 overall, 1-0 in league play) dominated the line of scrimmage en route to a 27-18 victory in front of 1,800 in Fred Kelly Stadium.

John Genova benefited from the Spartans’ offensive line play, as the senior fullback rushed for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns in 21 attempts. In the second quarter, Genova scored on runs of 2 and 1 yards to give the Spartans a 14-7 halftime lead.

After a 31-yard field goal by El Modena’s Tim Hatcher, Villa Park quarterback Rob Davey threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to John Priem to make the lead, 21-10.

The Vanguards (3-3, 0-1) cut the deficit to 21-18 with 7:10 left on a 13-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Pat Leborio’s two-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass from Mark Esposito to Steve McClaskey. It was the only time during the game that El Modena was able to move the ball effectively.

On their next possession, the Vaguards turned the ball over on downs at their own 11-yard line. Four plays later, Genova clinched the victory with a two-yard touchdown run.

Santa Ana Valley 7, Foothill 0--Tailback Ralph Henderson caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Calhoun with 24 seconds left in the third quarter at Santa Ana Stadium.

The winning touchdown came immediately following a 17-yard completion from Calhoun to Joaquin Scott. With the exception of a late drive by Santa Ana Valley (2-3, 1-0), which resulted in a missed field goal, the touchdown was the only other serious scoring threat by either team.

The Falcons held Foothill (3-3, 0-1) to 59 yards on the ground and 11 passing. The Knights managed only 3 first downs and ran 23 offensive plays to 43 for Santa Ana Valley.

Calhoun completed 7 of 13 passes for 171 yards. In addition to his 48-yard touchdown, Henderson caught a 40-yard pass early in the third quarter and gained 27 yards rushing in 8 carries.

Santa Ana Valley wide receiver Roshawn Lacy caught 3 passes for 62 yards.