El Modena Takes the Fourth in Victory Over Garden Grove

SANTA ANA — El Modena Coach Steve Howard repeatedly showed faith in his offensive line on fourth down Thursday night--and it paid off with a 28-0 victory over Garden Grove in a nonleague game at Garden Grove High School.

El Modena took the opening kickoff into Argonauts’ territory but stalled and were faced with fourth and three on Garden Grove’s 43-yard line. Howard called for a draw. Charlie Williams took the handoff and broke free for a 22-yard gain.

Three plays later, on fourth and 11 from the 29, quarterback Matt Garcia hit Alex Cesa with an 11-yard completion. A facemask penalty at the end of the play moved the ball to the nine. Williams scored three plays later on a one-yard run.

“We’re missing some people on special teams,” Howard said. “But I firmly believed that our offensive line could get it done.”

Williams also benefited from the offensive line’s efforts. Williams carried 22 times for 153 yards.

After taking a 14-0 lead, El Modena threatened late in the second quarter putting together a drive that included two more fourth-down conversions. Garcia was sacked as time expired.

After the Argonauts fumbled the second-half kickoff and El Modena recovered at the 24, the Vanguards scored on an eight-yard pass from Garcia to Mike Walters.