Tritons might enter playoffs as No. 2

DANA POINT -The news only got better for San Clemente after Friday night's 40-20 South Coast League football victory over Dana Hills.

After the victory at Dana Hills High, the Tritons learned Tesoro had upset Mission Viejo.

As a result, San Clemente (7-2-1, 3-1-1) and the Diablos (6-3-1, 3-1-1) finished tied for second place. Since the teams tied in their game, a coin flip will determine the league's No. 2 representative for the playoffs.

San Clemente needed a victory over the Dolphins (1-8-1, 1-3-1), who also were playing for a playoff spot, to secure a playoff berth.

"We started slow," Tritons quarterback Brad Curtis said. "But I would rather start slow and finish strong any day." Dana Hills was fired up. They were playing with a lot of inspiration. They played well."

Curtis set two school records. His three touchdown passes gave him 26 on the season and 39 for his career, both new San Clemente marks.

Yet it wasn't until Taylor Patton's 8-yard touchdown run, his second score of the night, that the Tritons put the game out of reach, 38-20, with 5:54 remaining.

The Dolphins closed to within 24-20 at the end of the third quarter on Sean Schroeder's 19-yard touchdown pass to Connor St. Clair. Yet San Clemente answered when Curtis found Jade Micalef for a 64-yard strike to make it 31-20.

Patton's first touchdown run from 12 yards out gave San Clemente an early 7-0 lead. However, the Dolphins responded. After two Jeff Andrews field goals, Schroeder connected with Brett Giesen for a 39-yard touchdown pass to lead 13-7.

The Tritons eventually got the ball at their 47 with 48 seconds to go before halftime. Seven plays later, Curtis hooked up with Blair Cunningham for a 5-yard scoring pass and the Tritons led, 14-13, at intermission.

San Clemente closed the scoring on Matt Axline's safety late in the fourth quarter.

San Clemente's Aaron Krempasky blocked a punt and also had an interception.

Contact the writer: ctobolski@ocregiter.com