OCVarsity’s season preview for 2016:
SAN CLEMENTE TRITONS
Coach: Jaime Ortiz
Last season: 11-3 overall, 4-0 Sea View League
Scouting report: The Tritons are coming off of two straight outstanding seasons. They might, though, have been somewhat unsatisfying seasons. San Clemente lost close games in CIF-SS finals in 2014 and ’15. The Tritons move to the South Coast from the Sea View League in which they were 8-0 the pst two seasons. San Clemente has two of the county’s better offensive players, Jack Sears, a Duke commit who perhaps is the county’s top returning quarterback, and speedy, tough and versatile Brandon Reaves at running back. Sears last year completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,697 yards (193 yards a game) and 37 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He was Sea View League offensive player of the year. Reaves in 2015 rushed for 644 yards (8 yards a carry) and 10 touchdowns, and he had 43 receptions for 639 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tight end Isaac Rex committed to BYU. The Tritons lost to graduation some great players at offensive line. “We need to find some senior leadership there,” Coach Jaime Ortiz said. The defense should be sturdy again. Among the returnees is linebacker Riley Russell, who had a team-high 114 tackles last season, and two brothers, Brandon and Bryce Wilson, who are juniors. Ortiz hopes a challenging nonleague schedule that, which includes Oceanside, La Mirada and Palos Verdes, will help the Tritons get ready for league.
Bottom line: The Tritons are the top challenger to Mission Viejo in the South Coast League. Whether or not they knock off the Diablos, San Clemente should be one of the county’s top seven or so teams.
Players to watch: Brandon Reaves, RB, Sr.; Isaac Rex, TE, Sr.; Jack Sears, QB, Sr.; Bryce Wilson, DB, Jr.
RELATED LINKS
- South Coast League preview
- Mission Viejo preview
- San Clemente preview
- Tesoro preview
- San Juan Hills preview
- Trabuco Hills preview
