San Clemente Ends Long Streak With Win Over Capistrano Valley

The last time San Clemente defeated Capistrano Valley was 1978.

So it’s easy to understand why San Clemente Coach Mark McElroy was so elated following the Tritons’ 22-3 South Coast League victory over the Cougars Friday night.

“We’ve been quietly focusing on this game for the last year,” McElroy said.

San Clemente (6-2-1, 2-1-1) kept its playoff hopes alive by running over the Cougars. The Tritons rushed for 417 yards and didn’t allow Capistrano Valley into the end zone all evening.

The Cougars (2-5-2, 0-4) took the opening kickoff and drove to the Triton 12-yard line, where the drive stalled. Bobby Taghavi kicked a 22-yard field goal.

San Clemente pulled even on Tim Hollis’ 20-yard field goal and Norman Pridgen ran 38 yards for a touchdown to give the Tritons a 9-3 halftime lead.

Chris McCormack scored on runs of 13 and 55 yards in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Pridgen, McCormack and Jason Kim ran the ball well in place of injured starter James Allen. Pridgen gained 145 yards in 10 carries, McCormack rushed eight times for 129 yards and Kim had 54 yards in seven attempts.

Jermaine McKinney and Ryan Brown paced the Cougar offense, rushing for 94 and 79 yards. Capistrano Valley quarterback Jeff Dixon completed 10 of 19 attempts for 97 yards, but injured his shoulder on the game’s final play.