Fatu Helps Falcons Roll On

Santa Ana Valley linebacker Eliu Fatu’s nickname is the Bulldozer, and Saturday night he lived up to it.

Playing in his final home game, Fatu blocked a punt, caught three passes, had a 25-yard run and pressured El Modena’s offense all evening as the Falcons beat the Vanguards, 21-0, at Santa Ana Stadium.

Valley took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when quarterback Miguel Guerrero hit split end David Guevara with a 22-yard touchdown pass. With the score still 7-0 with 16 seconds left in the second quarter, El Modena tackled Valley punter Maurice Dunning at his 12-yard line, and the Vanguards took over. They failed to capitalize, however, when a field goal attempt was botched because of a high snap.

The second half was ugly. The teams combined for 12 penalties, and the Vanguards mustered only 29 yards in total offense.

With just more than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons finally took control. Guerrero hit flanker Larry Collins with an 11-yard touchdown pass to finish a 12-play, 80-yard drive. Running back Israel Zepeda scored on a five-yard run three minutes later for the final tally. Zepeda finished with 125 yards rushing.

The Falcons (8-1, 4-0) play Villa Park next week for the Century League title. El Modena (1-8, 1-3) finishes its season against Foothill.