Brinson’s 57-Yard Run Sparks El Modena Victory

El Modena running back Tyrone Brinson rushed for 123 yards and the Vanguards defense forced three key turnovers as El Modena defeated Sunny Hills, 14-7, in a nonleague game Friday night at Buena Park High.

With the score tied, 7-7, Brinson raced 57 yards for the game-winning touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter. The victory improved the Vanguards record to 2-0. The Lancers dropped to 1-1.

“This was a very emotional win for us,’ said El Modena’s first-year coach, Jason Hitchens. “Our defense dug deep down tonight and came up big when they had to.”

The Vanguard defense, led by Kevin Dykes, Chad Brandel and Jimmy Juarez, sacked quarterback Jared Bruce twice, forced two fumbles, intercepted a pass and held the Sunny Hills offense to 75 total yards in the first half.

The El Modena defense has already forced eight turnovers this season and has limited opponents to only one touchdown.

With the Lancers driving for a tying score midway through the fourth quarter, Dykes intercepted a Bruce pass, foiling Sunny Hills’ late rally. On the Lancers final drive, Juarez sacked Bruce to secure the Vanguards’ victory.

“Defense is our game,’ said Dykes. “We should have shut them out tonight, but our defense really stuck it to them.”

El Modena took a 7-0 lead late in the first half on quarterback Tony Calderon’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Czyakowski. Late in the third quarter, Bruce completed a 27-yard pass to Brian Broschak to tie the score.