Connors Guides Hart to Victory Over El Modena

In a matchup of junior quarterbacks, Hart High’s Ryan Connors outperformed El Modena’s Jose Prado to lead the Indians past the host Vanguards, 14-7, Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division III football playoffs.

Hart (9-3) will play top-seeded Esperanza, a 31-7 winner over Leuzinger, in the semifinals.

Connors completed 14 of 25 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, though he had three passes intercepted. Prado was nine for 16 for 134 yards with one interception and fumbled inside the Hart one to end a scoring opportunity in the second quarter.

Connors started quickly. After Hart took the opening kickoff, Connors passed 50 yards to Doug Distaso and then 30 yards to Brian Bernier for the touchdown with just 34 seconds elapsed.

El Modena answered at the end of the first quarter with a two-yard touchdown run by Adam Garcia.

El Modena (8-4) had another chance to score moments later.

After the kickoff, Tim Gray intercepted a Connors’ pass at the Hart 45 and returned the ball almost to the goal line.

But on first down and inches, Prado fumbled the snap, and Hart recovered at the three-yard line. The Vanguards never threatened again.

Hart broke the tie with a 12-play, 70-yard drive keyed by Connors, who completed four passes for 48 yards and ran three times for 10 yards.

Tucker Setterberg capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run with 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.