Edison Defeats El Modena in Mistake-Marred Game

Rarely has a team gained so much yardage and produced so little as Edison High School did Friday in a season-opening 7-0 victory over El Modena in front of 3,200 fans at El Modena.

Edison totaled 361 yards and had 18 first downs, but the Chargers had to be content with a single touchdown in the first quarter in a game marred by penalties and turnovers.

Quarterback Greg Angelovic scored with 1:20 remaining in the first quarter on a nifty 21-yard run, and Edison spent the remainder of the evening frustrated by two fumbles, an interception and holding penalties.

Edison was assessed nine major penalties for 120 yards, but afterward Coach Dave White refrained from criticizing his team despite the mistakes.

“Most of those penalties came from being a little overly aggressive and emotional, something we lacked often last year,” White said. “I’d rather see that (penalties) than the way we played last year.”

Edison had a very uncharacteristic 2-8 record last season, but optimism was sky-high this summer with Angelovic returning at quarterback supported by several quality skilled-position players.

Angelovic completed 20 of 29 passes for 161 yards, and he added 67 yards rushing. But he also had a pass tipped at El Modena’s one-yard line late in the first half that was intercepted by Pat Finn, killing a potential scoring drive.

Edison also had two drives ended in the second half after completed pass plays. The Chargers turned the ball over at El Modena’s 18-yard line early in the fourth quarter after Angelovic had connected with wide receiver Patrick Reilly.

Later, the Chargers lost possession at El Modena’s 33-yard line after another Angelovic pass completion.

Edison’s defense dominated El Modena, limiting the Vanguards to nine yards passing and 16 yards rushing.

“I thought our entire defense played well,” White said. “We lost a lot of close games last year, and I think we’ll win some close games this year. We mixed it up pretty good offensively, but the turnovers hurt.”

The only bright spot for El Modena was the punting of Marcus Esposito. Esposito averaged 53 yards and had one punt in the second quarter net 73 yards. Esposito had plenty of practice with the Vanguards earning just four first downs, two of those coming on penalties.

“I didn’t see much that was encouraging,” said Bill Backstrom, El Modena coach. “Our punter looked good, but that’s not what a coach wants to go around saying was the highlight of his game.

“I think we have some good skilled-position kids, but they didn’t have time to do much against Edison’s defense. It’s obvious we have a lot of work to do on the line.”