SAN CLEMENTE – As the old saying goes, it’s hard to beat the same team twice in one season.
Not only would Jaime Ortiz back that theory up after Friday night’s game against Capistrano Valley, but the San Clemente coach would likely throw in a few adjectives like grueling, strenuous and taxing to get across just how difficult a task it is.
Despite beating the Cougars by 27 points in a Sea View League game in early October, the Tritons had their hands full against a re-energized Capo Valley squad.
After scoring two touchdowns in the final 8:07 of the fourth quarter, San Clemente scored on its one possession in overtime with Chase Berman’s extra point being the only difference in a 28-27 slugfest in the CIF-SS Southwest Division semifinal at San Clemente High.
“That was a heavyweight fight,” Ortiz said after the game amidst a sea of Tritons fans. “Just two sluggers going at it back and forth. They’re playing really well. We dodged a major bullet there.”
The Tritons (12-1) advance to next Friday’s Southwest Championship game, where they will square off against another Sea View League opponent in Trabuco Hills. San Clemente previously defeated the Mustangs, 42-35, on Oct. 30.
The site of the game will be determined later in the week.
“I’m going to let this one soak in,” Ortiz joked. “Probably when I walk off the field I’ll start thinking about Trabuco.”
The Tritons came into Friday night’s game on a six-game winning streak in which they averaged 50 points a game. On Friday, however, they were held to seven points in the opening half and lost three turnovers in the process.
The Cougars capitalized on those mistakes and took a 21-7 edge into the break.
“We played really bad in the first half,” Ortiz said. “Coaches made mistakes, players made mistakes. We just had to rally together as a family. As a team you have your ups and downs, but it’s how you finish a game that counts.”
After a scoreless third quarter, San Clemente still trailed 21-7 going into the final 12 minutes.
An interception from defensive back Jake Russell gave the Tritons the ball at the Capo Valley 16-yard line with nine minutes left. Quarterback Sam Darnold cut the score to 21-14 two plays later on a 16-yard TD pass to Cole Harlow.
Darnold and the offense scored the tying touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. A 39-yard pass to Russell set up a 1-yard Darnold sneak, sending the game into overtime.
The Cougars opened the overtime session with a three-play scoring drive, capped off by Jordan Bocko’s 1-yard TD plunge. With kicker Adam Gordon out because of an injury, the PAT was missed.
Darnold, who finished with 150 yards passing and a team-high 51 rushing yards, and the offense responded with their own scoring drive. Brandon Reaves ran the ball in from a yard out. Berman kicked the PAT for the win, giving the Tritons their only lead.
“We played our hearts out,” Darnold said.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
