First-Half Score Helps San Clemente Win

Well aware of the fact that San Clemente’s football team had yet to score an offensive touchdown in the first half this season, Triton Coach Dave Elecciri decided he was not going to take any chances, just all of his first-half timeouts.

Quarterback Morgan Bannister made the San Clemente coaching staff look pretty smart when he used every bit of his 6-foot-3 frame, diving into the end zone for the only score the Tritons would need with 3:12 left in the first quarter.

Bannister added touchdown runs of eight yards and one yard to lead San Clemente (1-2) to a 21-6 nonleague victory over visiting Santiago (0-3).

“We wanted to make sure we got it in,” said a smiling Elecciri. “I told the coaches we could use the timeouts. But it better work.”

It did. But not by much.

A pass interference penalty gave San Clemente a first and goal at the six. But the Tritons could only move the ball to the three in three plays.

San Clemente called its third timeout of the half with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter. On fourth and goal, Bannister rolled left, pumped and then dove into the end zone.

The remainder of the game deteriorated into a battle of turnovers and penalties. Three of the four touchdowns were set up by turnovers. San Clemente finished with four turnovers and Santiago had six.

Santiago scored on a seven-yard run by quarterback Mike Carrasco to cut San Clemente’s lead to 14-6 with 11:56 remaining in the game. The extra point was wide. San Clemente clinched the victory on Bannister’s one-yard touchdown run with 4:43 remaining.