Wilson’s 4 Touchdowns Lift El Modena to Victory

El Modena’s Ernie Wilson led the Vanguards to a 34-21 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a penalty-marred game in the first round of the Division IV playoffs Friday night at Tustin High.

Wilson rushed for 182 yards in 21 carries and scored four touchdowns, one of which was a 25-yard interception return in the second quarter that put El Modena ahead to stay.

The Vanguards (8-3) advanced to next week’s quarterfinals against Irvine, a 21-14 winner over Chino.

After trailing, 7-0, the Vanguards exploded for three touchdowns in the last four minutes of the second quarter.

Wilson scored twice, and then El Modena quarterback Matt Mitchell drove the Vanguards 62 yards for another touchdown in the final two minutes of the half, capping the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Casey Shine with 35 seconds left for an 18-7 lead.

Wilson all but put the game away with touchdown runs of 64 and 18 yards for a 31-7 lead.

But a muffed punt and an on-side kick set up touchdown passes of 34 and 13 yards from Notre Dame quarterback Jabbar Craigwell to Joey Orlando--who finished with eight receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns--to make the score 31-21.

Eddie Romero of Notre Dame (6-5) intercepted a pass and returned it to the Vanguard 20 to threaten another score, but Todd Hales intercepted Craigwell’s pass in the end zone.