Irvine Upsets No. 8 San Clemente

Irvine quarterback Jared Flint threw for 241 yards and rushed for three touchdowns as the Vaqueros upset eighth-ranked San Clemente, 42-35, Friday at Irvine Stadium.

Irvine’s Jake Savona and Ryan Brucker also had big nights. Savona rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, and caught three passes for 92 yards. Brucker caught seven passes for 152 yards, 151 in the second half.

The Vaqueros (3-2) have lost only to Mater Dei and Servite, the county’s top two teams.

After falling behind, 27-21, early in the third quarter, Irvine scored three consecutive touchdowns to take a 42-27 edge.

The first came with 10:26 left in the third quarter, when Savona broke three tackles and trotted down the right sideline for a 54-yard score.

Later in the quarter, Irvine’s Darren Bell intercepted a pass from San Clemente’s Chris Hayward at Irvine’s one-yard line.

Four minutes and 17 plays later, Flint had a one-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown.

Irvine’s final score came midway through the fourth quarter. Savona rushed for a one-yard touchdown, giving Irvine a 42-27 lead.

San Clemente (3-2) answered on the next series on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Hayward to Ryan Davis but the Vaqueros ran out the clock on the next series.

For the Tritons, Hayward completed 27 of 41 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Davis rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown in 23 carries.

Irvine’s Al Williams ran for 104 yards, all in the first half, including an 88-yard touchdown run.