El Modena Wins Battle of Defenses

El Modena’s defense made two field goals and a safety stand up for an 8-0 victory over El Dorado Friday night at Valencia High.

Buddy Klovstad’s 49-yard punt early in the second quarter pinned El Dorado back at its three-yard line. Michael Pitre tackled running back Jeff Mathison for a two-yard loss. After an incomplete pass, Todd Clements broke through the El Dorado offensive line to tackle Mathison in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 El Modena lead with 7:35 left in the half.

Brian Fischbeck returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards to give El Modena ideal field position on the Golden Hawk 31. Daniel Dixon ran for 13 yards on the first play from scrimmage before the El Dorado defense stiffened. Marcos Chavez kicked a 27-yard field goal to increase the lead to 5-0.

The Vanguards added a 24-yard field goal with 1:48 left in the game after a drive set up by a 52-yard run by Dixon. Chris Thomas prevented Dixon from scoring with a tackle on the El Dorado 15.

El Modena (3-1) had an 85-yard touchdown run by Adam Lancisero late in the third quarter nullified by a holding penalty.

El Dorado completed only two passes in the second half, both for losses. Each team had two interceptions. El Modena had 38 yards passing and El Dorado only 10.

And both teams resorted to fake punts in an attempt to generate some offense.

Lancisero was the leading rusher in the game with 123 yards. P.J. McNiff paced El Dorado’s offense with 66 yards rushing and Mathison added another 55.

Dixon had 73 yards rushing for El Modena.