San Clemente’s Defense, Luck Hold Up Against Bellflower

San Clemente relied on tough defense and opportunism to defeat Bellflower, 10-7, Friday night at San Clemente High.

With the victory, the Tritons, ranked ninth in Southern Section Division I, remained unbeaten at 4-0. The Buccaneers, ranked third in Division VIII, dropped to 3-1.

The Triton defense forced two turnovers in the game, the last one an interception by middle linebacker Ryan Klaasen with 2:25 left to play. That stopped a Bellflower drive at the Buccaneer 42, allowing San Clemente to run out the clock.

Neither offense could do much, as San Clemente managed just 121 yards and Bellflower only 186.

In the first quarter, the Tritons took over at the Bellflower 29 after a punt. Four plays later, Allan Vaughan went over from the one to give San Clemente a 7-0 lead.

But the lead was short-lived, as just three plays later the Buccaneers were in the end zone. Quarterback Jay Young took an option-keeper 71 yards up the left side for a touchdown.

San Clemente’s Mario Garcia connected on a 24-yard field goal that proved to be the clincher with 13 seconds left in the first half.