MISSION VIEJO – San Clemente beat Trabuco Hills, 49-14, on Friday at Trabuco Hills High to put itself in position to play for the South Coast League championship next week.
Jack Sears completed 20 of 24 passes for 248 yard and three touchdowns. The senior also rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
“The guys around me made some great plays. We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season,” Sears said.
Brandon Reaves scored three touchdowns for the Tritons, two receptions and one rushing. He caught six passes for 77 yards.
“He (Reaves) is one of the most under-recruited athletes in Southern California. Whenever he touches the ball, everyone holds their breath for a second because he can score,” Coach Jaime Ortiz said.
Reaves began the scoring on San Clemente’s first offensive play, a 49-yard touchdown run to put the Tritons up 7-0.
Trabuco Hills (2-7, 0-3) answered with a 46-yard touchdown run by Jake Cuero to tie the game. Cuero ran for 85 yards on 13 carries.
Sears completed a swing pass to Reaves for a score to regain the lead late in the first quarter.
Sears completed another touchdown pass to Reaves and one to Sander Lush in the first half to give the Tritons a 35-7 lead at halftime.
The Tritons (7-2, 3-0) play defending South Coast League champion Mission Viejo on Friday.
“This has been our goal all season long,” Ortiz said. “I always tell our kids, ‘it’s a big game, because it’s our next game,’ this week it was Trabuco Hills and now it’s Mission Viejo.”
“I’m fired up. It’s my first time playing Mission and it’s senior night. I can’t wait,” Sears said.
