Late TD helps San Clemente avoid huge fall

SAN CLEMENTE - San Clemente scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns — one in dramatic fashion — and escaped with a 27-24 victory over Capistrano Valley in South Coast League football Friday night at San Clemente High.

The Tritons (6-4, 3-2) qualified for the playoffs, finishing in third place and avoiding a three-way coin flip.

The Cougars (4-6, 2-3) would have been involved in the coin-toss scenario, along with Tesoro, had they won.

However, San Clemente's Chase Rettig and Terrell Johnson spoiled Capo Valley's upset bid.

They connected on a 25-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute to go that gave the Tritons their final margin of victory.

The Cougars were leading, 24-20, with San Clemente facing a fourth-and-15 from the Cougars 25 and time running out.

Johnson came free on the right sideline, and Rettig let the ball fly toward the back of the end zone.

Johnson ran under the pass and caught it while managing to keep his feet inbounds.

"I wanted to give him enough time to break away from the defender," Rettig said. "I put the ball where it was and Terrell did a great job of keeping his feet inbounds."

Rettig finished with four touchdown passes.

San Clemente trailed, 24-14, entering the fourth quarter.

The Cougars, after falling behind 7-0, rallied and took a 17-7 lead and were ahead at halftime, 17-14.

"Capo deserves a lot of credit," Tritons coach Eric Patton said.