DANA POINT - After beating Newport Harbor last week to ascend into the Orange County Top 10 for the first time in years, seventh-ranked Dana Hills went into Friday’s 57-0 nonleague victory over El Modena hoping to accomplish several things.

One, it wanted to establish the passing of Josh Dean and get him ready for South Coast League play next week against Tesoro.

Two, it wanted to improve just as it has every week of the season.

Three, it needed to look like the team that everyone now expects it to be.

The Dolphins (4-1) went 3 for 3. They looked the part, and they played the part of a county leader as they outgained El Modena (2-3), 600 yards to 87.

“Our season starts now,” Dana Hills coach Brent Melbon said. “I like the way they came out, they competed like they should.”

Dean passed for 231 yards by halftime. He finished 17 of 22 for 291 yards and three touchdowns, one of 70 yards to Tanner Crowley and two for 11 and 40 to Zach Alario.

Dana Hills led at halftime, 37-0, and had outgained the Vanguards, 356-36.

The Dolphins defense was led by Cody Meddaugh, who recovered a fumble at the El Modena 9-yard line on the game’s third play to set up Cole Altuzarra’s 82-yard run. Altuzarra also added a 20-yard TD run midway through the third quarter.

Meddaugh also had a sack in the first half, one of three as Brian Stiefel was pressured throughout. He had nine carries for minus-27 yards, all in the first half.

After the opening series, Dana Hills continued to make plays. It scored on six of its seven first-half possessions and didn’t let up even when the second team was in.

Relief quarterback Trent Mason carried seven times for 76 yards, and Brandon Howe carried nine for 88 with a 70-yard touchdown run. Altuzarra had eight carries for 60 yards. Chris Kearney caught six passes for 79 yards.

After Altuzarra’s short run for a 7-0 lead, Brenden Beckley added a 27-yard field goal, followed by Dean’s nice 11-yard scramble to go up 17-0 with 10:52 left in the second quarter.

A nice catch and carry by Crowley covered 70 yards for a 23-0 lead, and then Howe went 70 yards on a nifty touchdown run for a 37-0 margin.