Sunny Hills Offense Runs Over El Modena : Pizula and Overby Lead Lancers’ Impressive Ground Game in 21-0 Victory

The passing fancy at Sunny Hills High School appears to be the ground game after the Lancers ran wild for the second consecutive week in a 21-0 victory over El Modena Friday night at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange.

Sunny Hills completed only one pass but piled up 234 yards rushing, led by fullback Brian Pizula and halfback Kenny Overby.

Pizula gained 131 yards in 19 carries and scored two touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Last week, Pizula averaged 19.8 yards per carry in a 31-6 victory over Rowland in which Sunny Hills gained 298 yards rushing.

“They were everything I expected and maybe a little more,” said Bill Backstrom, El Modena’s coach. “I saw Dave Geroux when he played at Edison (in 1980 and ‘81) and Pizula is in the same mold with a few more moves.

“Geroux would never do a step around you, he would just run right through you. Pizula is a power runner with some very good moves. I thought all three of their runners were tough.”

El Modena, still looking for its first victory, managed to stay close and moved the ball effectively at midfield, but key penalties and turnovers repeatedly hurt the Vanguards.

Quarterback Adam Garcia completed 15 of 29 passes for 152 yards, but he also threw an interception and fumbled, leading to Sunny Hills touchdowns. El Modena also was penalized eight times for 85 yards.

“You can’t play the game with 15-yard penalties every time you turn around,” Backstrom said.

Sunny Hills scored the only touchdown it needed with 3:22 remaining in the first half after inside linebacker Brian Gluhak intercepted a pass by Garcia at the El Modena 26. Pizula scored on a four-yard run, but his nine-yard run that set up the score was the play of the night.

Pizula displayed power and balance when he leaped over one tackler, spun around another and then bulled over a third tackler on a play that appeared to be going nowhere.

His offense was impressive, but Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney praised his defense. Sunny Hills has allowed only six points in two games.

“I was pleased the way our defense played,” Devaney said. “Anytime you beat a quality team and contain its passing and running game, you have to be pleased. Our passing game needs work, but we knew that going into the season.”

Junior quarterback Rick Orr completed only one of three passes for 17 yards and threw an interception. Last week, he was only two for eight for 54 yards and also threw an interception.