San Clemente rolls over Aliso Niguel

ALISO VIEJO - San Clemente further solidified a postseason berth by defeating Aliso Niguel, 35-6, on Friday night at Aliso Niguel High. (Full game stats.)

The Tritons improved to 8-2 overall, and 3-2 in South Coast League, finishing behind league champion Tesoro and runner-up Mission Viejo.

Tesoro’s victory over Dana Hills, which is 2-3 in league, on Friday night secured the playoff spot for the Tritons.

In the opening Tritons drive, quarterback Duke DeLancellotti broke out on a 34-yard run on a third-and-5 to bring San Clemente inside the 20-yard line.

DeLancellotti would save that drive with a 2-yard run on fourth-and-inches, setting set up a 1-yard touchdown run for David Espino to put the Tritons up.

The Tritons would get on board again on their next drive as kicker Aaron Jones showcased his ability by launching a 47-yard field goal.

Ryan DeLeonwould provide more scoring in the first half on two 6-yard touchdown runs to put the Tritons up, 26-0, at halftime.

While DeLancellotti dazzled all night with 124 yards in the air and 82 on the ground, the Tritons defense deserves credit, too. Aliso Niguel had minus-24 yards rushing in the game.

The Wolverines would have only amassed 39 total yards on offense were it not for Russ Abdulla’s 89-yard touchdown reception from Joseph Galosic as time expired for the only Wolverines points.

The Wolverines would have had another score if Galosic’s 80-yard pass in the third quarter had not been called back on a clipping penalty.

The Tritons defense finished the game with two safeties, four sacks, and an interception.

San Clemente’s two losses came against Tesoro and Mission Viejo by a combined 10 points.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com