CENTURY LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Kickoff Return Is Enough for El Modena Victory

With a sigh of relief, El Modena football Coach Bill Backstrom launched into a testimonial.

He had just watched his Vanguards survive a bout with Santa Ana Valley Thursday at El Modena High. They came away with a 10-3 Century League victory and some respect for the Falcons.

“Santa Ana Valley is a very good team,” Backstrom said. “A very good team. I’m just thankful we got out of this one with a win. They are very tough.”

Tough? Santa Ana Valley? The same program that went zilch-for-1991.

Yes, the Falcons lost all 10 games a year ago, scoring 43 points in the process. But things have turned quickly.

They proved to be more than a match for the Vanguards physically, fighting to a standstill up front.

El Modena (4-2, 1-0 in league) appeared on the verge of scoring five times, but got only three points from its offense.

Twice Santa Ana Valley defensive back Toma Johnson prevented touchdowns.

Vanguard tailback Ernie Wilson broke free on a 29-yard run in the third quarter, but was knocked of bounds by Johnson at the 15-yard line. Wilson went 32 yards in the fourth quarter, but was again dragged downed by Johnson, this time on the 34.

El Modena failed to score both times.

“We got in the open a couple times; we just couldn’t outrun them to the end zone,” Backstrom said.

Johnson also intercepted two passes, one on the 10-yard line.

“We knew they were going to be tough,” said Wilson, who finished with 112 yards rushing. “We didn’t know they were going to be that tough.”

Wilson did get free and clear. He burst through a seam for a 97-yard kickoff return in the second quarter that gave the Vanguards a 7-3 lead.

It was his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season.

“The defense had to suck it up tonight,” El Modena linebacker Ryan Holmes said.

They did, for the most part.

The Falcons (2-4, 0-1) gained only 108 yards. They did get close enough for Isreal Hernandez to wobble a 32-yard field goal through in the second quarter, but that was the extent of their offense.