Marinovich Throws for 198 Yards in Win

Todd Marinovich, Capistrano Valley High School quarterback, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Cougars to a 31-13 victory over San Clemente in a South Coast League football game Friday.

Marinovich completed 9 of 16 passes for 198 yards and had no passes intercepted in front of 1,000 fans at San Clemente High.

Marinovich, a senior, has a total of 8,614 yards passing in his career, and needs 191 yards to break the national record of 8,804 set by Ron Cuccia of Los Angeles Wilson in 1975-77.

Running back Matt Spence gave Capistrano Valley (9-0 overall, 4-0 in league play), the top-ranked team in the Southern Conference and Orange County, a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when he scored on a 40-yard run.

San Clemente took the lead on its next possession with a 59-yard drive. Fullback Fred Walke scored on a 13-yard run, and Tino Perone’s kick put San Clemente ahead, 7-6.

A 32-yard field goal by Scott Hannah in the second quarter put Capistrano Valley in front, 9-7. Marinovich then threw his first touchdown pass, for 36 yards, to wingback Tommy Adams with 3:11 remaining in the first half.

On the two-point conversion attempt, Marinovich completed a pass to Joe Wood to give the Cougars a 17-7 lead.

Capistrano Valley opened the third quarter with a 62-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass play from Marinovich to wide receiver Davey Rawson. Hannah kicked the extra point.

On the Cougars’ next possession, Marinovich scored on a 12-yard run. Hannah kicked the extra point. San Clemente (2-7, 0-4) added its final touchdown on a one-yard run by Kevin Harrison in the fourth quarter.

STATE PREP CAREER PASSING LEADERS

No. Name School Years Yards 1 Ron Cuccia L.A. Wilson 1975-77 8,804 2 Todd Marinovich Mater Dei/Capistrano Valley 1984-87 8,416 3 Pat Haden Bishop Amat 1968-70 7,633 4 John Paye Menlo Park 1980-82 7,569