MISSION VIEJO – Despite taking a sizable lead into halftime, San Clemente’s offense didn’t appear in sync in the first 24 minutes against Trabuco Hills on Friday night.
The Tritons defense operated just fine and set the tone with an interception on the game’s opening series. The offense turned it around in the second half, finishing off the Mustangs, 48-7, in a Sea View League game at Trabuco Hills High.
The win earned San Clemente at least a share of its second consecutive league title. The Tritons (7-2, 3-0) can win it outright with a win over Aliso Niguel next week.
“One of our busses was late, so we had to cut our pregame (preparation) to 20 minutes, but the kids did a good job of regrouping,” Tritons coach Jaime Ortiz said. “We knew we had to come out in the third quarter and dominate to have a shot at that league title.”
After watching quarterback Jack Sears dictate the offense last week, the Tritons followed the offensive line of Tucker Scott, Donte Harrington, Turner Tonkovich, Noah Valovich and Zach Cochrun to the tune of 331 rushing yards and six rushing TDs.
Vlad Dzhabiyev powered his way to 150 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Brandon Reaves and Austin Whitsett each scored twice.
“We wanted to take what they gave us and our offensive line was clicking tonight,” Ortiz said. “From a defensive standpoint, it’s really hard to prepare for us because we have so many guys that can score.”
After a first half that saw the Tritons build a 20-0 lead, San Clemente reached top form in the third quarter. Four plays into the third quarter, Sears capped an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run.
Whitsett added a 10-yard TD run, then Reaves’ second rushing TD pushed the lead to 41-0.
Trabuco Hills (3-6, 2-1) lost senior wide receiver Noah Strenn to a leg injury on the fourth play of the game. Quarterback Cooper Uhl threw for 118 yards, but was intercepted twice, by Kevin Kling and Bryce Wilson.
Chad Crosbie scored on a 64-yard run for the Mustangs in the fourth quarter.
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com
