If there was any doubt about who Orange County’s best offensive player was this season, it was removed in the CIF-SS Southwest Division championship game.
The fact that the performance came in a loss speaks volumes to the talent and character of San Clemente senior quarterback Sam Darnold.
A record-setting season for the USC-bound quarterback – he set school records for passing yards (2,996), passing touchdowns (39), total offensive yards (3,771) and completions (214) – almost paled in comparison to his final game.
Darnold threw for 204 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-15 passing in the 44-37 loss to Trabuco Hills, but showed his mettle in the rushing game with 181 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. The rushing total was his season high, and it was more than any other Tritons rusher ran for this season.
“The way he played in the championship game – he left it all on the field,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. “That’s the kind of kid he is.”
Late in the fourth quarter, the 6-5, 215-pound senior sustained a concussion on a scrambling run. Although there was no chance Darnold would re-enter the game, across the field Trabuco Hills coach Tony Henney was concerned he would act out a movie-like return to the field.
“I was scared to death,” Henney said. “He’s a legit factor to throw the ball 60 yards on you or run the ball 60 yards on you on any play. … He looks like an NFL linebacker and runs like Colin Kaepernick, and he’s playing against high school players. A lot of times you’re just hanging on for dear life.”
Henney had a front-row seat to see what Darnold was capable of on two occasions – the CIF-SS championship game and a 42-35 San Clemente win in the regular season – but was most impressed by his behavior after the final whistle on both occasions.
“He was very gracious when they won and very gracious in defeat,” Henney said. “He handles himself like a pro, and that’s a trait not as lot of young men have at that age.”
Even after the season, Darnold talked about his team and school, and how crucial it was for both to rebound from last year’s 2-8 season.
“This season was about getting San Clemente back on the map,” Darnold said. “That was huge for us and that was our main goal going into the season.”
Darnold’s final game certainly wasn’t his only standout performance of the season.
He set and tied the single-game school record for passing touchdowns with five passing scores against Atascadero and Foothill, threw for more than 300 yards in wins over Dana Hills and Laguna Hills, and ran for more than 60 yards in seven games.
“If he’s healthy last year, he probably breaks all of our career records as well,” Ortiz said. “You sit back and you look at it and it’s just – wow.”
Ortiz also provides historical perspective. As a member of San Clemente’s coaching staff since 2000, he has seen the list of great quarterbacks of the school’s past – Chase Rettig (who went on to play at Boston College) and Travis Wilson (currently at Utah), just to name two recent stars who went on to play Division I college football.
In the 18 games Darnold has started since he was a sophomore – he missed eight games last season with an injury – he has a 15-3 record.
“That’s the sign of a leader,” Ortiz said.
Other coaches might deflect a question of where Darnold stands in comparison, but Ortiz takes a solid stance.
“I’ve either coached or played for or against San Clemente since 1989 and I can say Sam is the best to come through our program,” Ortiz said.
Up next for Darnold is a trip north to USC, where both San Clemente coaches and his high school opponents expect he’ll be successful.
“He’s got a hell of a future ahead of him,” Henney said. “Not just in college. Don’t be surprised to see him in the NFL.”
Contact the writer: jbalan@ocregister.com
