Souza Goes Extra Mile to Improve

At first glance, El Modena’s 14-7 victory over perennial-power Sunny Hills last Friday might have surprised some folks.

After all, the Lancers finished 8-2-1 last year and won the Freeway League title, and the Vanguards finished 4-7 and in third place in the Century League.

For Sunny Hills, this figures to be a rebuilding season. For El Modena, this could be the year it wins its first league title since 1992.

And for senior linebacker Ian Souza, the victory marked the first time he has walked off the field a winner after an El Modena-Sunny Hills game.

“The win over Sunny Hills was very satisfying and exciting,” Souza said. “The whole week we practiced and practiced with the idea we had to get over Sunny Hills. We hope that, with a win over them, the season will take off.”

The Vanguards have a chance to improve their record to 3-0 when they host Loara tonight at 7.

Souza believes El Modena’s start--their first 2-0 record since 1995--is an indication of things to come. Feeding his optimism is the Vanguards’ new coaching staff, led by Coach Jason Hitchens.

“The coaches we have now have brought us together,” said Souza, 17. “The conditioning, the emphasis on making practice perfect--everybody has such a better attitude.”

Souza, 6 feet, 220 pounds, is a two-way standout. On offense, he has rushed for 119 yards, caught six passes for 81 yards, and scored two touchdowns. On defense, he leads the team with 19 tackles (eight unassisted), has caused two fumbles, recovered one fumble and broken up one pass.

He was selected to the Century League’s first team last season, but felt his game needed more refining. This past summer, he attended a linebacker camp at the University of Washington.

“It was a great experience practicing in Husky Stadium,” Souza said. “It was the first time I had been somewhere like that by myself. We got to hit a little, but what they stressed was mental preparation. They showed me how to look for little key things the offense does.

“I want to improve all the time. I want to learn something every day. Last year, I just wanted to hit. This year, I’m studying the game more. I give the defensive signals in the huddle. I have a lot more responsibility.”

Hitchens, a former Santa Margarita assistant, first saw Souza play when the Eagles met El Modena in the 1996 playoffs. Hitchens became El Modena’s defensive coordinator last season, and said Souza’s improvement this season “borders on a quantum leap.”

“He has moved to inside linebacker from defensive end,” Hitchens said. “Our scheme is complex with a multitude of looks, stunts and coverages. While he deserved all-league honors [last year], he didn’t always trust his instincts and reads, which made him hesitate.”

Hitchens said Souza’s decisions to attend linebacker camp, to dedicate himself to working hard in the weight room, and to putting in time to study game film “has lifted his game two levels.”

“He has colleges like Nevada and Fresno State interested in him,” Hitchens said. “There has been that much improvement.”

Souza said he is flattered by the attention of the colleges, but he doesn’t want to look ahead, even to next week.

Tonight, his attention is on the Loara Saxons.

“To stop Loara, our secondary needs to pick it up a little,” Souza said. “If we can hold them under 10 points, like we’ve done in our first two games, it would be great.”

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LOARA VS. EL MODENA / Featured Game

When: 7 tonight

Where: El Modena High

Records: Loara 1-1; El Modena 2-0

Rankings: Neither team is ranked.

Noteworthy: The Vanguards have displayed a stubborn defense, giving up only two touchdowns in two games. Tyrone Brinson, who rushed for 123 yards last week against Sunny Hills, is emerging as the featured back. The Saxons are feisty, but young. Despite a 33-6 victory over Anaheim last week, Loara wasted several scoring opportunities. The Saxons won’t get away with that against El Modena.