Lots of highlights for Tritons' Tober, but no victory

ANAHEIM – San Clemente features two of Orange County's most sought-after recruits. But one of the Tritons' under-the-radar seniors also found the spotlight in the CIF-SS Pac-5 Division final Saturday.

Christian Tober made big plays at receiver and special teams in a 27-13 loss to Santa Margarita at Angel Stadium.

He had five receptions for a game-high 101 yards, two key returns on special teams and a near-interception that could have sparked a rally by the Tritons.

—————————————————

Santa Margarita soars to Pac-5 championship

OCVarsity Hot Shots: Championship action

OCVarsity Fandemonium from title games

Eagles hope their season isn't over

Eagles get the most out of their best asset: Stanton's legs

Final CIF-SS football playoff brackets

—————————————————

That's some impressive production for a player who just earlier this week received his first scholarship offer. South Dakota State offered Tober on Tuesday.

While Tober likely improved his recruiting stock, he and the Tritons were after another goal Saturday.

"We're (proud) of what we did but we really wanted it," Tober said. "I think we could have played a lot better ... but they're (Santa Margarita) a good team. They're a great team."

The speedy 5-foot-9, 170-pounder made his presence felt on the second play from scrimmage. He took a short pass from Utah commit Travis Wilson and broke a 39-yard gain after the Santa Margarita cornerback slipped. Tober's play moved the ball to the Santa Margarita 38 and helped set up a 40-yard field goal by Bret Miller with 5:18 left in the first quarter.

San Clemente had moved for a first down at the Santa Margarita 16 but the Eagles' defense forced the field goal.

Tober was just getting warmed up.

After Santa Margarita responded by taking a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter, he sparked the Tritons by returning the ensuing kickoff from his goal line 47 yards.

Three plays later, he made a juggling, 35-yard reception between two defenders to give the Tritons a first down at the Santa Margarita 13. But once again, the Tritons were forced to settle for a field goal. Miller kicked a 30-yard to cut Santa Margarita's lead to 7-6 with 8:44 left in the second.

"We could have finished on those drives where we had to kick field goals," Tober said.

After San Clemente's defense delivered a stop, Tober gave San Clemente good field position by returning a punt 18 yards to the Tritons 38. San Clemente drove for a 3-yard touchdown run by Mike Elespuru to take a 13-7 lead with 3:32 left in the half.

Santa Margarita responded with three consecutive touchdowns to take control, but Tober surfaced again in one of the biggest plays of the second half.

With the Eagles leading 21-13 midway through the fourth, Tober almost intercepted a pass by Johnny Stanton on a fourth-and-5 at the San Clemente 28. Tober broke on a pass intended for River Cracraft but was flagged for pass interference.

San Clemente argued the call and the Tritons faithful booed. Santa Margarita marched for a 3-yard touchdown run by Ryan Wolpin with 3:09 left.

"It was a close call," said Tober, who believed the pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage. "That (interception) would have helped us a lot."

Wilson also played well. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior completed his first nine passes and finished 12 of 15 for 166 yards.

Touted left tackle Kyle Murphy, Orange County's top recruit, protected Wilson's blind side and also played defense.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com