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Sports

San Clemente Football Has Tools for a Title Run

Behind much-heralded quarterback Travis Wilson and lineman Kyle Murphy, San Clemente's senior-laden squad expects to make a big impact in South Coast League standings.

The San Clemente High football program finds itself on a string of bittersweet seasons. Since 2005, the Tritons have won at least six games every season -- earning eight victories on three occasions --- and never finished worse than third place in the South Coast League.

A combined 17-9-1 record in league over the past six seasons has enabled San Clemente to finish as runner-up three times. However, each fall has ended without the league championship and with an early exit from the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The Tritons haven’t won a league title since 1999.

A senior-laden group of players, led by two of Orange County’s top prospects, have some thinking this is the year that San Clemente snaps out its drought and finally wears the South Coast crown.

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"We have a group of players who believe they can go all the way to a championship and they're willing to give everything they have to make it happen," coach Eric Patton said. "Many of these seniors have been together for almost their whole lives, back to their Pop Warner days."

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Two of those seniors -- quarterback Travis Wilson and lineman Kyle Murphy -- are among the most highly recruited players in the nation. Wilson recently committed to play at Utah, while Murphy’s stock continues to skyrocket as scholarship offers pile up.

“I could spend 10 minutes talking about colleges across the country that are interested in Kyle,” Patton said. “He is truly dominant on the line and we’re very proud of his success.”

The 6-7, 280-pound left tackle remains undecided on where he’ll play football in 2012, but his offer list includes Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Stanford and USC just to name a few. Murphy anchors an offensive line loaded with game experience.

Junior Jacob Bryson is the lone newcomer to a front five that includes three seniors. Along with tackles Murphy and Sean Harlow , seniors Connor O’Brien and Mike Simpson will pave the way for Tritons runners.

Mike Elespuru, who led the team with 14 rushing touchdowns as a junior, is expected to get the bulk of work in San Clemente’s pro style offensive attack. Senior Nick Pasquale will also be counted on to provide a receiving threat at the running back position and occasional carriers in relief of Elespuru.

“We view Mike as the mainstay of our offensive backfield,” Patton said. “He proved to be a consistent runner last year and he’s an impressive blocker as well.”

Backfield blocking is a key facet of the Tritons’ strategy because the offensive game plan revolves around Wilson, a dual-threat presence at quarterback. The 6-6, 205-pound playmaker gained nearly 500 yards on the ground in 2010, when he threw for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"Travis is going to be put in a position to succeed in our offense in every game," Patton said. "He's one of the main cogs in our wheel. He's an excellent passer, but he'll get plenty of carries as a runner."

Now that Wilson’s college commitment is out of the way, he can focus squarely on doing what he does best -- taking the reins of a dangerous Tritons offense.

"He's a student of the game," Patton said. "Travis understands what it means to be a field general. Preparation is important to him. He's in charge of the huddle, the formation, the snap count.... We have a lot of trust in him."

Senior Jacob Graff and junior Christian Bailey appear to be the frontrunners for wide receiver roles in support of Wilson. Bailey should also be a major factor on defense, according to Patton.

The coach calls Bailey his “best athlete” and expects him to play 48 minutes every game. The 6-2, 180-pound ballhawk will line up at free safety and help stabilize San Clemente’s strong defensive backfield.

Pasquale and senior Christian Tober are tough, physical cornerbacks who will make it difficult for rival South Coast quarterbacks to operate at their best. Tober blocked three field goal attempts last season as a special teams ace.

The Tritons’ defensive front seven will operate in a 3-4 scheme, which has become customary in Patton’s 12-year tenure.

Senior Julian Perry is an all-league returnee at nose tackle. Despite weighing in at just a shade over 200 pounds, Perry’s ability to beat larger lineman at the point of attack enabled him to register a team-high seven sacks as a junior.

"Julian isn't a big lineman, he's more in the form of a fullback or linebacker," Patton said. "But he's so quick and strong that offensive lines have a tough time keeping up with him."

A big impact is anticipated from the return of a healthy Herbert Gamboa. The senior filled the stat sheet last season with 63 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions despite missing five games with a stress fracture in his back.

Patton believes Gamboa can help elevate his 3-4 defensive game plan to a new level this fall.

“In high school, you generally have a good number of athletes who can play linebacker,” Patton said. “Talent on the defensive line is usually limited. We want this defense on the move and making plays all the time, so we’ve really stuck to the 3-4 scheme.”

There’s no question that a long-awaited league title won’t come easy for San Clemente. South Coast stalwarts Mission Viejo and Tesoro still look strong and ready to vie for the championship.

A recipe for success does appear to be in place for the Tritons. The combination of a strong-armed, level-headed passer, a veteran offensive line and lockdown defensive secondary have done wonders for championship teams in the past.

Further motivation won’t be necessary, according coach Patton.

"They want to bring a trophy home to the San Clemente community," Patton said. "They're playing for their friends, family and neighbors."

San Clemente's 2011 Varsity Football Schedule

Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Cabrillo of Lompoc, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 8 vs. Fountain Valley, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 vs. La Costa Canyon, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 vs. Newport Harbor, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. West Adams Prep, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 at Trabuco Hills, 7 p.m. *

Friday, Oct. 21 vs. Dana Hills, 7 p.m. *

Friday, Oct. 28 at Mission Viejo, 7 p.m. *

Thursday, Nov. 10 vs. Tesoro, 7 p.m. *

* Denotes South Coast League game

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