SAN CLEMENTE – San Clemente created crucial turnovers and Aiden Rubin exploited large holes provided by the offensive line to beat Corona del Mar 28-14 on Friday in a nonleague football game at San Clemente High.
Rubin rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, using his quickness and power with plenty of support from linemen Connor Bachhuber, Ben Baker, Max Bolliger, Austin Diaz and Mason Mejorado.
“The game was going to be won at the line of scrimmage,” said San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz. “I think our O-line and (defensive) line did a great job.”
The Tritons improved to 4-0. They are No. 7 in the Orange County Top 25. Corona del Mar is 2-2. The Sea Kings are No. 8 in the county rankings.
The atmosphere was great as it usually is at San Clemente’s Thalassa Stadium. The school’s student section had filled their area at 5:30 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff.
“It really does fire you,” said Rubin (5-8, 185). “It keeps the adrenaline going.
Rubin scored on runs of 1, 27 and 13 yards. The other Tritons touchdown was a 15-yard pass from senior quarterback Dylan Mills to senior receiver Holden Stakston.
After Rubin’s 27-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter Corona del Mar closed in with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Kaleb Annett early in the fourth quarter to cut the San Clemente lead to 21-14. But the Sea Kings’ fifth turnover, a muffed punt recovered by San Clemente’s Jack Spaeth, led to Rubin’s 13-yard touchdown run with 7:16 remaining. Corona del Mar could not score on its two remaining possessions.
Max Kotiranta, Max Bollard and Riley Kelly had interceptions for the Tritons.
“I knew it was going to be a great matchup,” Ortiz said. “This is the way high school football should be: two good programs, two good coaching staffs and two groups of kids that grew up together and play for each other.”
Corona del Mar’s other touchdown came on a fake field goal attempt, with holder Max Nashed…
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