El Modena football breaks into win column with big push from Brodie Hitchens – Orange County Register

SANTA ANA — The El Modena football team was desperate for a victory and nobody seemed to recognize that more than Brodie Hitchens.

The junior running back and outside linebacker was asked to pull double duty for the Vanguards on Friday night against Segerstrom and his performance on both sides of the ball left a deep impression in the 35-9 win at Segerstrom High.

Hitchens rushed for 159 yards on 14 carries and scored two first-half touchdowns. He was also a key part of the defensive unit that shut the Jaguars down after they scored on their opening drive.

Hitchens had carried the ball just two times in the previous two games.

“When you come in 0-2, you’ve just got to do what it takes to get a win,” Hitchens said.

El Modena was not only 0-2 for the first time in 10 years, but was trying to avoid starting 0-3 for the first time since 2003.

El Modena coach Matt Mitchell said an injury to Hitchens the first week of the season, competition from two other running backs and Hitchens’ defensive responsibilities all played a factor in his lack of offensive touches the first two weeks.

The Vanguards re-evaluated their running backs during practice this week and decided to give Hitchens the start.

“We pushed it and committed to it finally,” Mitchell said.

Hitchens and the Vanguards didn’t waste any time taking command of an injury-depleted Segerstrom team.

Hitchens scored on a 49-yard touchdown run on his third carry of the game to give the Vanguards a 7-0 lead.

The Jaguars (3-1) scored on their opening drive as well, tying the score 7-7 on a 1-yard sneak by quarterback Jesse Lopez, but they also lost their leading rusher on the season, Noah Tagaloa, to a foot injury on the drive and he did not return.

Segerstrom was already missing five starters because of injuries, including its second-leading rusher from last season, Noble Acosta.

“Whoever’s on the field, we got to play and that’s who we’re going to ride with,” said Segerstrom coach Joseph Tagaloa, who is also Noah’s father.

El Modena quarterback Xzavior Guess found Ryan Holzgang for a 41-yard gain on the second drive, leading to a 17-yard touchdown run by Hitchens that stretched the lead to 14-7 with 2:31 left in the opening quarter.

The Vanguards reached the end zone on their third possession as well.

Guess carried the ball four times for 55 yards on the drive, capping it with a 14-yard touchdown scamper for a 21-7 lead with 7:56 left in the first half.

Guess scored his second touchdown on a 5-yard keeper to stretch the lead to 28-7 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.

After a botched snap by El Modena near the goal line led to a safety for the Jaguars, the Vanguards scored their fifth rushing touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run by Mohammed Wygal Abassi, increasing the lead 35-9 with 2:53 left in the game.

Andrew Diaz and Isaiah Valdivia each took on bigger roles with the absence of Tagaloa and Acosta. Diaz rushed for 94 yards on 16 carries and Diaz finished with 37 yards rushing and a team-high 39 yards receiving.

“We needed people to step up and both those guys took it upon their shoulders to do so,” Tagaloa said. “They played well and they ran hard.”