ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Defense Lifts El Modena Over Tustin

El Modena lost its starting quarterback in the third quarter, but its defense came up with a big performance to keep the Vanguards undefeated this season.

El Modena (3--0) limited Tustin to 90 yards rushing and Dan Kingman and Aaron Santana each scored a touchdown in a 13--6 nonleague victory over the Tillers Friday night at Tustin.

“It’s nice,” El Modena Coach Steve Howard said. “The defense did a really good job.”

The Vanguards scored on their second drive of the game when Kingman, who finished with a team--high 84 yards, ran in from two yards out.

El Modena junior quarterback Cesar Vasquez left the game with an injured neck after he was sacked. Vasquez was taken off on a stretcher and was replaced by Bobby Calderon.

Before Vasquez was knocked out, he helped set up the deciding score in the second quarter .

Vasquez hit James Goins for a 22--yard gain to the Tustin 21-yard line. Santana ran the ball into the end zone on the next play for a 13--0 lead.

Tustin (1--2) scored its only touchdown when DeShaun Foster scored on an 18--yard run at the end of the third quarter.

The Vanguard defense stalled Tustin’s running game, forcing the Tillers to move to the passing attack.

Tustin quarterback Robbie Caston completed five of 12 passes for a season-high 104 yards, but it was not enough. Caston had attempted only six passes prior to the game.