Foothill Closes Season Like a Champion
Skyler Champion didn’t approach his Orange County-record rushing performance set last week, but his 189 yards and two touchdowns in 27 carries Friday night helped Foothill to a 13-7 Century League victory over El Modena at Tustin High.
Champion, who rushed for 527 yards against Orange, gained most of his yards in the second half when Foothill (2-8, 2-3) needed them most.
El Modena held Champion to 44 yards in eight carries in the first half. The Vanguards held a 7-0 lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Brown to Jordan Czaykowski with 8:08 left in the half.
El Modena (1-9, 1-4) scored four plays after linebacker Behrod Gonjifard returned a fumble 61 yards to the Foothill 15.
On its first possession of the second half, Foothill drove 63 yards in seven plays and tied the score, 7-7, after a two-yard touchdown run by Champion.
The big play of the drive was a 47-yard pass from Mike Castillo to Michael Whiddon on a third-and-eight play.
El Modena tried to answer on its next possession, but Kevin Vu was stopped short of a first down on a fake punt at the Foothill 41.
Foothill took immediate advantage. After his six-yard run on first down, Champion broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run. That gave Foothill a 13-7 lead with 3:16 left in the third quarter.
El Modena failed on another fourth-down play late in the game, and the Knights ran out the final 5:05 for their second consecutive victory.