San Clemente Rolls Past Orange

San Clemente Coach Mark McElroy knew his team would face a difficult task Friday night against Orange. For one quarter, the Tritons had all they could handle before scoring 28 consecutive points and posting a 28-7 victory at San Clemente.

The Panthers (0-2) took an early 7-0 lead on Chance Perry’s 14-yard run with 3:42 left in the first quarter. Orange went 58 yards in seven plays highlighted by a 34-yard completion to Perry from Sean Jones.

San Clemente (2-0) responded with two second-quarter scores. James Allen’s one-yard run made it 7-6 with 5:50 left in the half. The extra point attempt failed. Then, with 1:54 left, Jake Jones caught a 19-yard scoring pass from Oscar Montecinos to make it 14-7.

“Now I know why he [Orange Coach Dick Hill] is such a winning coach,” McElroy said after the game. “They came out and gave us a game.”

The Tritons shut down the Panthers offense, forcing five turnovers. San Clemente’s senior cornerback Derek Frazer intercepted three of Jones’ passes.

Montecinos made it 21-7 midway through the third quarter on a one-yard quarterback sneak that capped a 15-play drive. It was his third attempt from the one-yard line. An apparent score was nullified when officials ruled his knee touched the ground.

Norman Pridgen closed out the scoring with a 10-yard run with less than two minutes to play.

Perry accounted for almost all of Orange’s offense in the game, rushing for 120 yards in 19 attempts. He also caught two passes for 51 yards.