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ORANGE — San Juan Hills’ football team carried multiple goals into its nonleague game at El Modena on Thursday.

The Stallions wanted to avenge a lopsided loss against the Vanguards last season, and extend one of their best starts in recent years.

San Juan Hills, ranked 10th in Orange County, accomplished both objectives with a 39-18 victory.

Running back Sullivan Land rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns, and linebackers Jake Javorsky and Weston Port anchored the defense as the Stallions improved to 6-0.

The last time San Juan Hills started 6-0 was 2015 under former coach Aaron Flowers, whose squad opened 7-0 and reached the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.

The Stallions accomplished their feat Thursday against an opponent it lost to 29-6 last season as part of an 0-7 start.

San Juan Hills has turned things around in a major way this fall, and it’s showing with its confident play.

“Winning breeds success, winning breeds confidence,” Stallions coach Robert Frith said. “Right now, these guys are confident but they’re also humble because when we step on the field Monday, we’re 0-0 and we have to start this process all over again.”

San Juan Hills showcased a physical ground attack and strong defense in putting No. 19 E Modena (2-3) on its heels from the start.

The Stallions erupted for 22 points in the first quarter and pushed their lead to 32-0 at halftime against the reigning North Hills League champion.

San Juan Hills set the tone by opening the game with a nine-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 2-yard TD run by Land. The reigning Sea View League champion ran the ball on all nine plays.

“We want to be an extremely physical team offensively,” Frith said.

Special teams sparked the Stallions’ second touchdown. Washington commit Jason Robinson caught an 11-yard TD pass from Timmy Herr to punctuate a drive set up a 36-yard punt return by Colton Chase to the El Modena 26.

Land then broke open the game with a tackle-busting 64-yard touchdown run up the middle with 2:53 left in the opening period. The senior running back piled up 105 yards in the first quarter behind linemen Trevor Newkirk, Cash Hardy, Tyler Fields, Cooper Javorsky and Evan Miller.

Herr, a sophomore, also rushed for a score in the game and finished with 135 yards passing.

Jake Javorsky led the Stallions’ defense with three sacks and a tackle for loss. Port and defensive lineman Gavin Blum each added a sack. Cornerback Chris Williams chipped in with a key pass breakup.

“I think we have a championship defense,” Frith said.

El Modena, which started 11-0 last season, has introduced 18 new starters this season, Vanguards coach Matt Mitchell said.

El Modena’s offense found its rhythm in the second half behind quarterback Xzavior Guess, who rushed for a 5-yard TD and tossed a late 10-yard score to Troy Parker.

Guess, a junior, rushed for 95 yards and passed for 120.

“We weren’t ready for the amount of intensity and how aggressive they were off the rip,” Guess said of San Juan Hills. “We got to bounce back.”

Next week, El Modena plays host to Brea Olinda (4-1) on Sept. 28 in its first of two crossover games with the Crestview League. The Wildcats will be coming off a bye.

San Juan Hills plays host to rival Tesoro (3-2) on Sept. 29 in the teams’ Bell Game. The Titans will be coming off their bye.

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