OCVarsity scouting report: San Clemente

Some of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons are, from left, tight end Cole Fotheringham, quarterback Jack Sears, Runningback Vlad Dzhabiyev, runningback Brandon Reaves, outside linebacker Donte Harrington, and outside linebacker Tucker Scott.
Some of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons are first row from left, quarterback Jack Sears, runningback Brandon Reaves, runningback Vlad Dzhabiyev. Back row from left are, tight end Cole Fotheringham, outside linebacker Tucker Scott, and outside linebacker Donte Harrington.
ome of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons are first row from left, quarterback Jack Sears, runningback Brandon Reaves, runningback Vlad Dzhabiyev. Back row from left are, tight end Cole Fotheringham, outside linebacker Tucker Scott, and outside linebacker Donte Harrington.
Some of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons are, from left, tight end Cole Fotheringham, quarterback Jack Sears, Runningback Vlad DzhabiySev, runningback Brandon Reaves, outside linebacker Donte Harrington, and outside linebacker Tucker Scott.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is outside linebacker Tucker Scott.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is outside linebacker Donte Harrington.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is running back Brandon Reaves.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is runningback Vlad Dzhabiyev.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is tight end Cole Fotheringham.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is quarterback Jack Sears.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is outside linebacker Donte Harrington.
San Clemente Tritons quarterback Jack Sears winds up to throw a pass.
San Clemente Tritons tight end Cole Fotheringham hauls in a pass.
One of the key players for this year's San Clemente Tritons is running back Brandon Reaves.

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By Dan Albano | dalbano@scng.com | Orange County Register

August 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

OCVarsity preview for the 2015 season:

SAN CLEMENTE TRITONS

Coach: Jaime Ortiz

Last season: 12-2 overall, 4-0 league

Scouting report: The defending league champion Tritons are loaded with returning starters and imposing height. The Southwest Division runner-up sent quarterback Sam Darnold to USC, but the Tritons return eight starters on offense. Darnold, the Register’s offensive player of the year in 2014, triggered a high-powered offense last season, but Ortiz expects more balanced contributions this fall. The running back duo of Vlad Dzhabiyev and Brandon Reaves could be the best in the county. Jack Sears is the favorite to take the quarterback reins and will have a 6-foot-2 receiver in Liam Eldridge and a 6-4 tight end in Cole Fotheringham (Utah commit). The Tritons also feature a strong offensive line led by Utah commit Tucker Scott (6-4, 275) and Donte Harrington (6-3, 296). The question marks emerge on defense, especially at middle linebacker, and a few spots in the secondary.

Bottom line: The Tritons appear to have the offensive weapons to defend their league title, and if the defense comes through, they could capture their first CIF title.

Players to watch: Vlad Dzhabiyev, RB/LB, Sr.; Cole Fotheringham, TE, Sr.; Donte Harrington, OL, Sr.; Brandon Reaves, RB, Jr.; Jack Sears, QB, Jr.; Tucker Scott, OL, Sr.

SAN CLEMENTE ROSTER

SAN CLEMENTE SCHEDULE

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com