El Modena Wins on Bandel’s Long Interception Return

Three lead changes in the final five minutes highlighted a wild fourth quarter as El Modena posted a 21-17 Century League victory over Orange Thursday at El Modena High.

The Vanguards (5-2, 1-1 in league) needed Bret Bandel’s 80-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2 minutes 39 seconds remaining to provide the winning margin.

“The interception came on a broken play,” El Modena Coach Steve Howard said. “It was the kind of play that can either go big for you or against you, and their quarterback just tried to squeeze one in.”

Bandel’s interception climaxed a wacky series of five plays that exemplified the fourth quarter.

After limiting Orange (2-5, 0-2) to a 45-yard field goal by Jerry Arguello in the first half, Orange took a 10-7 lead on the final play of the third quarter when quarterback Andy Lauridsen completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Adame to complete a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive.

El Modena regained the lead in the fourth quarter when quarterback Matt Mitchell, who completed seven of 13 passes for 121 yards, hit Brian Hanson on a quick slant for a 37-yard touchdown pass and a 14-10 lead with 4:59 remaining. Hanson caught four passes for 66 yards.

On Orange’s first play after the ensuing kickoff, Lauridsen gave the Panthers the lead after completing a 71-yard touchdown pass to Adame, who beat Bandel on the coverage.

Arguello’s conversion gave the Panthers a 17-14 lead with 4:28 remaining and they apparently had the game in hand when El Modena’s Dave Martinez, who rushed for 65 yards in 13 carries, fumbled on the kickoff return and Thomas Quinn recovered for Orange at the El Modena 25.

But two plays later, facing a second and 14, Lauridsen, who completed six of 14 passes for 129 yards, scrambled and tried to hit an open receiver over the middle, but Bandel picked off the pass and raced 80 yards for the eventual winning score.

Mitchell scored the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter. On a fourth and one at the Orange five, fullback Jeremy Rex fumbled at the five, but Mitchell scooped up the loose ball and ran in for the score.

Orange fullback Cesar Lopez rushed for 44 yards in eight carries, but the Vanguards shut down tailback Jeff Williams, who had only 22 yards in 15 carries.