PREP EXTRA / SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : San Clemente Dominates Mistake-Prone Tustin, 49-7

Yes, it actually did get worse for Tustin.

After being outscored by an average of 18 points in their first four games, the Tillers were beaten by San Clemente, 49-7, Friday night in a nonleague game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

San Clemente (3-2) capitalized on four Tustin turnovers and miserable special teams play by the Tillers to score on seven of its first nine possessions. The Tritons started six consecutive drives inside Tustin’s 40-yard line and took a 28-7 halftime lead and a 49-9 third-quarter advantage.

San Clemente usually passes the ball, but the Tritons rushed for more than 200 yards. Tailback Cheyenne Dixon ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns in only eight carries, including a 70-yard touchdown run on a draw play. Fullback Keith Gros contributed 53 yards and a touchdown in eight rushes, and third-stringer Owen Williams had a touchdown and 53 yards in five carries.

Before it got out of hand, San Clemente quarterback Jeff Carlin completed eight of 21 passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns, two to wide receiver Trevor Insley. Carlin’s other scoring pass went to Ryan Hoffman, who also kicked six of the Tritons’ extra points.

Tustin scored on its opening drive, a 12-play, 75-yard march capped by Gabe Nava’s 16-yard run. But the Tillers, who used three quarterbacks, couldn’t move the ball after that, and didn’t reach 100 yards in offense until their last drive of the game.

San Clemente overcame 115 yards in penalties and three turnovers mainly because it started almost every drive inside Tustin’s 35-yard line. Tustin punter Sean Barnhart had a rough night as he had one ball snapped over his head and three other punts for less than 20 yards.