ORANGE – Yorba Linda stayed unbeaten by capping a fierce second-half comeback with Hunter Kennedy’s 27-yard field goal as time expired for a 17-14 win over El Modena on Friday night at Fred Kelly Stadium.

The Vanguards called back-to-back timeouts to try to rattle Kennedy’s confidence, but it didn’t work. Yorba Linda coach Jeff Bailey said he appreciated the gamesmanship by his counterpart, El Modena coach Matt Mitchell.

“This is the night I expected from Hunter the whole season,” Bailey said, “and our kids work hard on it, just the pressure situations and the freezes. It’s kinda fun and it’s neat for the kids.”

With his team down 14-0 at the half, Bailey challenged the Mustangs (5-0, 2-0) to rise to the occasion and they did.

Yorba Linda 17, El Modena 14. Hunter Kennedy wins it as time expires!! pic.twitter.com/HtiZLORMeE

— David Delgado (@DavidDelgado_OC) April 10, 2021

“At halftime we talked about getting punched in the mouth and how you respond,” Bailey said. “This little group doesn’t like to lose and I’m real proud of them tonight.”

By winning, Yorba Linda will finish its season next week playing Villa Park with the Crestview League championship on the line.

Yorba Linda running back Ethan Pocci gained 89 of his game-high 111 yards in the second half Friday, and his touchdown run with 8:44 left in the fourth tied the game, 14-14.

El Modena (3-2, 0-2) got first-half touchdowns from Nick Mascaro and Sam Astor but wasn’t able to get on the scoreboard during the final 24 minutes of play.

The Vanguards took advantage of a muffed punt return and Emilio Spadaro came up with the loose ball. A few plays later Jack Keays threw a perfectly timed pass to Mascaro for a 28-yard score to give El Modena a 7-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, the Mustangs drove to the Vanguards 1-yard line but their defense came up with a goal-line stand, keeping Pocci out of the end zone after a penalty pushed Yorba Linda back to the 6.

“We jumped offsides on the one-inch line and then end up giving up a wacky play for a 14-point turnaround,” Bailey said.

That “wacky” play by El Modena was a double-pass from Keays to Mayson Hitchens who fired a pass to Sam Astor that was underthrown and looked like it would be intercepted. Instead, a pair of Mustangs defenders were unable to pick it off despite a deflection. Astor’s concentration on the ball helped him secure a 46-yard touchdown catch that gave the Vanguards a two-touchdown advantage heading to the break.

Yorba Linda RB Ethan Pocci thanks his offensive line for helping him gain 111 yards and a TD in a 17-14 win over El Modena. All eyes on the Villa Park game now. @ocvarsity @ylhsfootball @EthanPocci @coachbailey_yl @LucasRoncevich @CoachCardonaOL pic.twitter.com/BGuVfrgAPQ

— David Delgado (@DavidDelgado_OC) April 10, 2021

The Mustangs went on a 72-yard drive and scored on their first possession of the second half as Pocci and Chase Jones were the catalysts behind that drive. Jones’ 26-yard catch from Reyn Beal cut the El Modena lead in half.

Yorba Linda’s defense came up with a crucial stop in the fourth quarter as the Vanguards got to the Mustangs 39, but a tackle for a loss and a sack on the next two plays forced a punt.

With 1:23 left in the game, Beal threw quick passes to Jones and JJ Conrad to get in field goal range. Conrad’s 15-yard catch at the El Modena 30 was followed by a pass interference penalty that gave Kennedy a great look at the game-winning attempt.

Yorba Linda kicker Hunter Kennedy talks about his game-winning FG over El Mo. The Mustangs remain unbeaten and face Villa Park next week for the Crestview League title. @ocvarsity @ylhsfootball pic.twitter.com/ZMJJwt58bG

— David Delgado (@DavidDelgado_OC) April 10, 2021

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