No. 2 Tesoro's late stop holds off San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE - There was no relaxing finish for Tesoro this time.

But thanks to a late defensive stand, the second-ranked Titans still celebrated another critical South Coast League victory.

Middle linebacker Scott Graves tackled running back David Espino for a 2-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 from the Titans’ 15-yard line with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter to seal Tesoro’s 28-23 victory at San Clemente on Friday night.

Last week, the Titans (7-0, 2-0) coasted to the finish in defeating previously top-ranked Mission Viejo, 31-14. (Full game stats.)

“It was a little too close for comfort,” Graves said of Friday.

The eighth-ranked Tritons (6-1, 1-1) had two chances to pick up that much needed yard. One third-and-1, they tried to catch Tesoro’s defense off guard with a quick pass to the outside but it fell incomplete.

San Clemente coach Eric Patton later called the third-down play selection “bad” but he liked the way his team pushed their way back into the game.

“We never gave up,” Patton said. “I just admire these kids so much.”

San Clemente started its final possession at its 47 with 2:25 left. The Tritons’ defense delivered the field position by forcing a three-and-out.

The field position must have looked good for the Tritons. On their previous possession, they drove 96 yards for a 1-yard touchdown run by Espino with 4:15 remaining. Trailing 28-23, San Clemente went for 2 points but a pass by Duke DeLancellotti was incomplete.

 “I knew San Clemente was a great football team,” Tesoro coach Brian Barnes said. “I told our team all week that this was going to be the best team we’ll play all year until the playoffs.”

DeLancelotti teamed up with receiver Graham Tenney to spark the Tritons in the second half. Tenney finished with 12 receptions for 189 yards; DeLancellotti passed for 252 yards.

But Tesoro collected three interceptions and didn’t commit a turnover.

“I don’t think they made a mistake all night,” Patton said of the Titans.

Tesoro opened a 28-10 lead early in the third. After Zach Mitchell returned the second-half kickoff 37 yards, Adam Albitar capped a 57-yard drive with a 17-yard scoring run.

But San Clemente answered with an 80-yard drive that Espino finished off with a 15-yard TD run.

Tesoro also opened a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 73-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robbie Picazo to Preston King and a 25-yard run by fullback Issac Tago. After the Tritons’ cut it 14-10, Picazo responded with a 35-yard touchdown strike to Brett Gudim with 2:45 left in the half.

King helped set up the score with a 63-yard kickoff return. He finished with eight catches for 152 yards.

Picazo was sacked four times in the first half but threw for 178 of his 224 yards.

• Click here for full game stats.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com