CIF STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION 1-A
San Clemente (12-3) vs. Del Oro (13-2) of Loomis
Where, when: Sacramento State, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Live coverage: TV, Spectrum SportsNet L.A.; streaming, myspectrumsports.com
Fan info: General admission, $15; students (with valid school ID) and children, $10; parking, $10.
Outlook: San Clemente and Del Oro took similar paths to the state final. Both recovered from a lopsided loss in league to win section and regional titles. San Clemente has won five consecutive games since a 41-3 loss against Mission Viejo in the South Coast League in Week 10. “That was a wake-up call for us,” San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex of the game against the Diablos. “That game prepared us so much for the playoffs. Us getting our butt whopped was actually probably a good thing because we knew that would be the best team we play.” San Clemente’s offense has been more diverse since the loss. In a 39-35 victory against Edison in the South Regional final, eight players caught passes for the Tritons as USC committed quarterback Jack Sears spread out the touches. Sears also has hurt playoff foes with his scrambling and designed runs. The senior has passed for 2,504 yards and rushed for 1,099. San Clemente’s defense also has improved. Defensive end Austin Moore racked up three sacks against Edison as the Tritons applied a steady blitz. The Tritons’ special teams also played well. Del Oro lost to Folsom, 42-7, on Oct. 7 en route to a third-place finish in the tough Sierra Foothill League. The Eagles bounced back to reach their second consecutive state final. They captured the Division II-AA title last season. Mark Tennis of CalHiSports.com said Del Oro is heavy on returners from its 2015 squad. He described quarterback Stone Smartt (2,862 yards, 29 TDs) as a dual threat and running back Dalton Gee (1,304 yards, 19 TDs) as a speedster. Tennis and San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz are high on receiver/safety Mason Hurst (69 catches, 1,489 yards). “(RB/LB) Camrion Davis can be the team’s X factor as another threat on offense and defense,” Tennis said in an e-mail. The state final will be Del Oro’s second game this fall at Sacramento State. “They don’t have anybody like Jack Sears, however,” Tennis added.
FEATURE: San Clemente’s Rex loving every moment of ‘magical run’
Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
