San Clemente’s loss of coach galvanizes team off to 8-0 start

In other circumstances, San Clemente would be having a season to cherish.

The Tritons are 8-0, jogging memories as to the last time the program enjoyed this kind of start.

“I believe 1978, some people say 1976,” interim Coach Jon Hamro, who played for San Clemente in 1979 and 1980, said Saturday. Actually, a check of the records shows it was 1975, when the Tritons went unbeaten and untied before losing to La Habra Sonora in the second round of the playoffs.

The interim tag attached to Hamro’s title hints at the trouble that rocked the Tritons less than three weeks before their season opener. Longtime Coach Eric Patton was removed from his post after reportedly becoming the focus of an investigation into a sports equipment and apparel company’s alleged kickbacks to coaches throughout Southern California.

Though his players were stunned and saddened by Patton’s dismissal, it also had a galvanizing effect.

“That’s probably true,” Hamro said. “If you look at it from a whole, I think they’re working harder than they ever had and I think they’re extremely focused.”

Hamro said several factors kept the Tritons from falling apart: The team is senior-laden and mostly includes players and coaches from the surrounding community.

“I think it’s really just a familiarity with each other and they like each other,” Hamro said.

There’s been a lot to like. San Clemente has won its games by nearly 27 points per game and last month secured a marquee triumph with its 28-21 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in overtime.

Utah-bound quarterback Travis Wilson is complemented by a pair of sturdy running backs in Mike Elespuru and Nick Pasquale, both threats to surpass 100 yards each week.

San Clemente has won its first two South Coast League games and could take a giant step toward its first league title since 1999 on Friday by defeating host Mission Viejo (5-2, 1-0). That was also the same year the Tritons last beat the Diablos.

A victory over their biggest league nemesis could help soothe the difficulty of losing their coach.

“It’s tough going through a situation like that,” Hamro said, “but we are so single-minded and focused on what we are doing and really taking this thing not just one game at a time but one day at a time. The kids are out here right now working their butts off.”

Playing the heavy

Schedule makers wondering whether it’s a good idea to load up with nonleague heavyweights should pay attention to San Pedro’s Marine League games the next two weeks.

San Pedro played five mostly nondescript opponents in nonleague play and went undefeated.

By comparison, Carson played four Pac-5 Division heavyweights, going 1-3, and Harbor City Narbonne played four Southern Section powers and went 2-2.

“Our nonleague schedule helped us expose our strengths and weaknesses and has us ready to compete for the City Section championship,” Carson Coach Elijah Asante said.

Which approach is best? Pirates fans could find out starting Friday when San Pedro (7-0, 2-0) plays at Carson (3-4, 1-1). On Nov. 4, the Pirates play host to Narbonne (5-2, 2-0).

ben.bolch@latimes.com