LAGUNA HILLS – Coming off its bye week, a slow first quarter and a sluggish second half couldn’t keep No. 10 San Clemente from defeating Laguna Hills, 49-10, Friday in a Sea View League game at Laguna Hills.
San Clemente (7-1, 2-0) sets up a league showdown with Trabuco Hills next week. The Mustangs picked up a 21-6 win over Capistrano Valley on Friday.
The Tritons were led by quarterback Sam Darnold, who tossed four touchdown passes in the first half and finished with 305 passing yards.
However, Darnold threw an interception and lost a fumble, while the team was penalized nine times for 110 yards in the second half alone.
“I think coming off the bye, we were rusty,” Tritons coach Jaime Ortiz said. “With an opportunity to play for a league title next week, we have to play better.”
Cole Fotheringham set the tone early, scoring on a 5-yard pass from Darnold to open the scoring. Fotheringham led all receivers with 135 yards and two first-half touchdowns.
The Hawks (1-7, 0-3) responded with a 29-yard field goal from Porfirio Hernandez.
However, Darnold continued the aerial attack, connecting with Fotheringham, Dean Licht and Jake Russell in the second quarter to give the Tritons a 28-3 halftime lead.
Russell added a 98-yard interception return for one of San Clemente’s three second-half touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com
