CENTURY LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Garza, Orange Top El Modena by Fingertip

Jacob Garza, Orange’s undersized and overachieving linebacker, got every inch out of his 5-foot-9 frame. The Panthers’ title hopes rested on those fingertips.

Garza first tipped, then intercepted, a pass by El Modena’s Matt Mitchell to preserve a 14-13 victory at El Modena High Thursday.

It was the biggest defensive play by the Panthers in a game in which they made many. It allowed them to run off the final 40 seconds and give Garza a moment frozen in time.

“All I can see is the ball falling and I just reached out,” Garza said. “I guess it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

When it does, he will no doubt realize the importance.

His interception on the Orange 20-yard line nixed a relentless comeback by the Vanguards, who had recovered an onside kick with 1 minute 1 second left.

It also left the Panthers (5-3, 3-0 in league) in sole possession of first place in the Century League.

“The thing about our guys is they never quit,” Coach Buddy Bland said. “There are times when they get upset out there and don’t look together, but they never give up.”

The defense certainly didn’t.

The offense contributed a little. Running back Jaime Worthem gained 109 yards and scored on a three-yard run. Quarterback Andy Lauridsen wobbled a four-yard touchdown pass to Andy Christensen as the Panthers led, 14-7, at halftime.

But it was the defense that pulled them through.

It is a unit that has been tested, and at times bested, throughout the season. Just three weeks ago, the Panthers gave up 48 points in a loss to Downey Warren, the low point of the season.

In three games since, Orange has given up 27 points.

“We just needed more discipline and the coaches gave it to us,” nose tackle Evans Saole said. “After the Warren game, we had to try harder. You had to try harder or you were off the team.”

Whether intimidation or motivation, it worked. The Panthers held their own against a Vanguard offense that had scored 30 or more points four times this season.

The Vanguards’ big-play tailback Ernie Wilson gained 102 yards rushing, caught four passes for 128 yards and scored both touchdowns. But the biggest plays were made by the Panthers.

They intercepted two passes, made a goal-line stand and stopped a two-point conversion attempt.

“We weren’t going to let this one get away from us,” said defensive back Art Bell, who had an interception. “We were going to do whatever it took.”

It took a lot.

Trailing, 14-7, in the fourth quarter, the Vanguards drove to the Panther six. But on fourth down, Saole pressured Mitchell into an incomplete pass with 3:42 left.

The Vanguards put together a quickie drive moments later, which ended in a 30-yard touchdown pass.

El Modena went for two, but Mitchell’s pass was over the head of a well-covered Casey Shine.

After the Vanguards recovered an onside kick, Mitchell hit Wilson for a 22-yard gain to the Panther 22. Instead of running the ball, they went to the air again.

But this time, Garza got in the way.