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  • San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex missed six weeks of...

    San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex missed six weeks of the season because of a knee injury, but his return has helped add a spark to the team's offense. He has 14 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the past four games. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register)

  • San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex worked hard during the...

    San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex worked hard during the regular season to recover from a knee injury, and now he's enjoying the team's extended postseason run. ‘(He's) been a big part of who we are,' San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. ‘(He) could have easily called it a day and not worked as hard.' (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register)

  • San Clemente's Isaac Rex kisses the CIF-SS Division 2 championship...

    San Clemente's Isaac Rex kisses the CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque after the Tritons defeated Murrieta Valley on Dec. 2, 2016. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register)

  • San Clemente's Isaac Rex catches a pass against Murrieta Valley...

    San Clemente's Isaac Rex catches a pass against Murrieta Valley in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship game on Dec. 2, 2016. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register)

  • San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex has played a big...

    San Clemente tight end Isaac Rex has played a big role in team's run to the CIF State championship game. The Tritons play Del Oro in the Division 1-A final on Saturday in Sacramento. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register)

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Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

SAN CLEMENTE Isaac Rex sprinted past a defender, looked back at quarterback Jack Sears and leaped for the pass with his hands outstretched toward the night sky.

Another prayer for the San Clemente tight end was about to be answered.

Rex made the over-the-shoulder catch in the back of the end zone last week for a 5-yard touchdown, helping power the Tritons (12-3) into the CIF State Division 1-A championship against Del Oro (13-2) of Loomis on Saturday at Sacramento State at 4 p.m.

The play was critical in San Clemente’s 39-35 victory against Edison in the South Region final and continued Rex’s surprising postseason surge.

Surprising? At one point during the regular season, it appeared his season might be over.

The senior missed six weeks because of a cracked femur, but he avoided a knee ligament injury that would have caused him to miss the Tritons’ run to their first CIF-SS title.

PREVIEW: San Clemente vs. Del Oro

“It’s definitely a magical run,” Rex said after a practice this week. “I would have missed everything. … It would have been awful.”

Rex (6-5, 235) was injured on a short reception against Roosevelt of Eastvale on Sept. 9. The BYU commit was hit by two defenders and took a helmet to his knee.

He tried to shake off the blow on the next play but fell to the turf, feeling pain and frustration. In spring practice, he broke his foot and missed much of the summer.

“It was just very scary and very frustrating,” Rex said. “I’m very religious, so I doubted God for a little bit.”

The initial word from his doctor, Gus Gialamas, was that Rex tore his ACL and MCL, injuries that often require a lengthy rehabilitation. But after thorough testing, he was diagnosed with a cracked femur near his knee, which would require a recovery time of 6-8 weeks.

“I think I was the only person in the history of injuries to be happy about a cracked femur,” Rex said with a chuckle. “I was just happy it was only six to eight weeks instead of a year or two.”

Rex worked diligently during his recovery with his physical therapist, Chelsea Taylor, and rejoined San Clemente on Oct. 28 or a game against Trabuco Hills.

“I was definitely dedicated,” he said of his therapy. “Nothing is guaranteed in the playoffs. … I just wanted to be back here, playing with my team and helping them out any way I could. Be with my boys and just have fun. I didn’t want to be on the sideline on crutches.”

While Rex returned against Trabuco Hills, he didn’t feel as if he was back at full strength until the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs in mid-November.

The player nicknamed “Big Rex” has since shown what he can do when healthy.

In the past four games, he has 14 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns, providing a spark for a rejuvenated offense.

In the final minute against Edison, he nearly scored on a 15-yard gain that moved the ball to the Chargers 1, setting up Brandon Reaves’ winning touchdown run with 48 seconds left.

“(He’s) been a big part of who we are,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said. “(He) could have easily called it a day and not worked as hard.”

Rex likes to challenge himself.

He played mostly middle linebacker last season, waiting his turn at tight end behind Cole Fotheringham.

Rex also plays basketball, the standup bass and piano. The latter two are inspirations fostered by his mother, Amy. He was a member of the school’s orchestra for three years.

“I love music,” Rex said.

The list of activities doesn’t stop there. Over the summer, he finished his Eagle Scout requirements by gathering sporting goods for a Marines youth organization at Camp Pendleton.

Teammates Riley Croft, Ammon Stark and Eric Ord also have earned Eagle Scout status.

Rex is eagerly anticipating serving his Mormon mission before attending BYU, where his father, Byron, played tight end on a team with Ty Detmer at quarterback.

Rex is hoping to serve his church in Europe but will accept any assignment.

This weekend, he’s just grateful to be healthy and in Sacramento with his teammates.

“We feel blessed to be the first team to finally get over the hump, winning CIF and then moving on to state,” Rex said. “I was praying, thanking my heavenly Father every night for me being able to come back for this magical run.”

Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com