San Clemente Finds Second Gear in Second Half to Beat Warren

San Clemente got off to a slow start Friday, but the Tritons put together a stellar second half en route to a 28-12 Southern Section Division II playoff victory over visiting Downey Warren.

James Allen had three touchdowns and 115 yards in 26 carries and the San Clemente defense forced the Bears to go three-and-out on their first seven possessions of the second half.

Leading, 7-6, at the half, the Triton defense took control of the game, silencing Bear running back Demarco Giron, who had 134 yards in nine first-half carries. He finished with 150 yards.

“We just wore them down,” said San Clemente Coach Eric Patton, who gave credit to defensive coordinator Dave Brown’s game plan. “Things that happened for them in the first half didn’t happen for them in the second half.”

After Allen scored from two yards out in the second quarter, Giron cut the Triton lead to 7-6 with a 67-yard touchdown run. San Clemente (8-3) went on to take a 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter on consecutive one-yard touchdown runs by Allen. Allen, who needed 61 yards Friday to become the school’s career leader in all-purpose yards, also caught four passes from Danny Coviello for 60 yards.

The Tritons face Diamond Bar in the second round.