El Modena Saved by Its Defense

El Modena’s offense turned the Vanguards’ football game against Sunny Hills around. But, in the end, it was the defense that saved host El Modena’s 20-13 nonleague victory Thursday night.

Sunny Hills led at the half, 13-6, but El Modena scored one touchdown in each of the final two quarters to complete the comeback.

The winning score came on a one-yard dive by Brett Daeley with 3 minutes 30 seconds left in the game. That put El Modena (2-0) ahead, 20-13.

The play capped a seven-play, 51-yard drive. Daeley had an 18-yard run on the first play of the series, and quarterback Matt Mitchell connected on an 18-yard pass play to Brian Hanson on the second play. From there, the Vanguards pounded it into the end zone with five consecutive running plays.

Sunny Hills (0-2) kept spectators from leaving early, though.

Quarterback Brad Knyal combined with Craig Borsari for a 50-yard pass play with about two minutes left. The play gave the Lancers a first down at the El Modena 13.

Three players later, a Knyal pass was intercepted by Mike Morris at the 10 to end the threat with 1:28 to go in the game. Knyal’s pass was intended for Peter Rodriguez at about the five. But the ball and defenders Jason Said and Hanson got there at the same time. The collision caused the ball to bounce backward, where Morris dived and caught it.

Knyal had completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Borsari, who slipped behind the El Modena defense with 9:09 left in the first half to put Sunny Hills ahead, 13-3.

Sunny Hills looked impressive on its first possession. The Lancers went 80 yards on 16 plays and scored on a five-yard run by Henry Naliielua with 3:44 left. But with each subsequent series, the El Modena defense got a little better.

Sunny Hills was held to 42 yards rushing in the second half after gaining 79 yards in the first.

“We didn’t get out the blackboard or anything (at halftime),” El Modena Coach Steve Howard said. “We just told them it was a matter of execution . . . We came off the ball like we were supposed to in the second half.”

While Sunny Hills’ running game was slowing down, El Modena’s was picking up.

The Vanguards, who were held to 32 yards in the first half, piled up 147 yards in the second. Dave Martinez broke a 50-yard run around the left side for El Modena on the second play of the second half, giving the Vanguards a first down at the Sunny Hills 14. Daeley then carried the ball on the next three plays, scoring from three yards out.

The touchdown tied the score, 13-13, with 9:56 left in the third quarter.