EL MODENA

1997 RECORD: 4-7 overall, 3-2 in league

COACH: Jason Hitchens (0-0 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 7 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Chad Brandel, LB/TE, 6-4, 190, Sr.; Jordan Czaykowski, DE/TE, 6-3, 180, Jr.; Kevin Dykes, LB/RB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Jimmy Juarez, DE/TE, 6-5, 190, Sr.; Ed Kim, DT/OT, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Alex Solorio, DT/OT, 6-1, 260, Sr.; Ian Souza, LB/FB, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Kevin Vu, DB/WR, 5-7, 140, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Tyrone Brinson, DB/WR, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Tony Calderon, QB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Chris Goral, NG, 5-9, 210, Sr.; Justin Priddy, DT, 6-0, 245, Sr.; Pat Romo, OG, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Lee Tousignant, DB/RB, 5-9, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Hitchens was the defensive coordinator for the Vanguards last season and he hopes to bring back the winning tradition. El Modena won Southern Section championships in 1978, ’83 and ‘84, but the Vanguards haven’t won a league title since 1992. So Hitchens has brought in some new blood, including offensive coordinator Bobby Frasco, who played on El Modena’s ’78 championship team. Hitchens hopes this team can rebound from a disappointing regular-season-ending loss. El Modena needed to defeat Canyon in the final league game to ensure a share of the league championship, but the Vanguards lost, 23-0. There are seven returning starters on defense, including Souza, a first-team all-league selection at linebacker, and Dykes, a second-team defensive back last season. Solorio and Czaykowski head the defensive line and Vu is another top returner in the secondary. Hitchens hopes the untested Calderon and Brinson, a transfer from Foothill, can provide a spark behind an inexperienced offensive line, led by Solorio, Kim and Romo. “These kids want to help El Mo football move back to the ranks of the county’s elite,” Hitchens said.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Garden Grove; 18 vs. Sunny Hills at Buena Park HS; 25 vs. Loara.

Oct. 2 vs. El Dorado at Valencia HS; 8 vs. Fullerton; 16 vs. Foothill; 23 vs. Orange; 30 vs. Villa Park.

Nov. 5 vs. Canyon; 12 vs. Santa Ana Valley.