Victory Satisfies San Clemente

Though many of his players and most fans were expecting something more closely resembling a blowout, San Clemente Coach Mark McElroy seemed satisfied with his team’s 21-14 victory over Capistrano Valley Friday night at Capistrano Valley High.

“We’re just a bunch or ordinary guys doing extraordinary things,” he said before meeting with Trabuco Hills coaches for a coin toss won by the Mustangs for second-place seeding in the Southern Section playoffs. San Clemente will go as the third-place team.

The Tritons (6-3-1, 3-1-1) looked more ordinary than extraordinary Friday, but got 100 yards rushing from Chris McCormack, 87 yards from James Allen, 69 from Chris Smith and a touchdown from each to keep Capistrano Valley (3-7, 0-5) winless in South Coast League play for a second consecutive season.

San Clemente exemplified its workmanlike style in the second quarter, driving 96 yards in 10 running plays capped by McCormack’s two-yard touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7, at the half.

The Tritons opened up a 21-7 lead in the third quarter, scoring on their first two possessions. The second touchdown came when the diminutive, 150-pound Smith carried four Cougar defenders into the end zone with him.

Capistrano Valley pulled within seven early in the fourth, but twice had first downs called back on penalties after converting fourth-and-long on its final drive, finally punting the ball to San Clemente, which ran out the clock.

In another South Coast League game:

Dana Hills 28, Mission Viejo 27--Dan Bowling scored on a 50-yard run with six minutes left to bring Mission Viejo within a point, but a fumbled snap on the two-point conversion ensured the victory for Dana Hills (4-6, 2-3).

Bowling scored two touchdowns and gained 141 yards in 18 carries for Mission Viejo (5-5, 1-4).

Dana Hills led at halftime, 21-14.