Fryer on football: San Clemente vs. Mater Dei
September 21st, 2011, 5:09 pm · · posted by Steve Fryer
NO. 5 SAN CLEMENTE (3-0) VS. NO. 7 MATER DEI (0-2)
Where, when: Santa Ana Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Everyone knew that San Clemente quarterback Travis Wilson has a fine arm, and his passing statistics – 63 percent completion rate, 161 passing yards a game, six touchdowns against only one interception – verify that. But the 6-foot-6 senior who committed to Utah can tuck and run with the ball, too. He has 20 carries for 148 yards, an average of 7 yards a carry in three games. And the Tritons also have running back Mike Elespuru, who has rushed for 391 yards, eighth-most in the county, and five touchdowns. Mater Dei is two or three plays away from being 2-0. The Monarchs lost by four points to Carson, and by eight to Centennial of Corona, the latter being the No. 6 team in the state rankings. If the Monarchs can put a net on Wilson, which means stopping his scrambling as much as his passing, then that first victory will come in this one.
Winner: Mater Dei
OCVarsity Gridiron previews San Clemente vs. Mater Dei:
LINKS TO THE REST OF FRYER ON FOOTBALL: WEEK 3
Mission Viejo vs. Long Beach Poly
Newport Harbor vs. Corona del Mar
St. Margaret’s vs. Whittier Christian
More football news from the OCVarsity blog:
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Even though MD is 0-2, they will be the best team SC will face thus far. SC looked like world beaters in their first three wins. Travis Wilson is the “real deal” and can “thread-the-needle” from 50 yards out. SC offense will be tough to stop especially if they get their running game going.
I’m not sure what’s going on at MD. I like their defense, they are fast and physical but they just seem to break down at the wrong moments. Their offense seems productive, but compared to the other Trinity teams their a long way off. Tritons have too many weapons this year. MD goes 0-3.
SC 42 – MD 21
Nice analysis UH, here is my take. as Fryer pointed out MD has not lost by much and if not for a last second( well 8 seconds left) TD catch MD would have pulled out the win against Carson. I feel MD D will stop the basic running attack that SC has for the most part, just as they have against Carson and CC.
All we heard about CC this summer was their huge experienced line and how good Goodman was at RB so I expected to see more yards from the running game but MD basically shut Goodman down.
It was the QB option and scrambling that hurt them and that will probably hurt them again with Wilson running when he needs to.
What also hurt MD in the CC game was giving up 180 yd passing. That for me will be the end game for SC. If CC’s Gavett can air out those yards, then I would expect Wilson to have close to twice as much.
On the other side of the ball, SC has yet to play anyone with a real good offense this year. SO it is really an unknown if they can stop MD offense. I know there is many SC fans feel they have improved their D from last year, but to what level has yet to be determined and tested.
In my estimation, If MD is going to win this game, it is how long they can keep the ball away from the SC offense ( and score more then 22 points themselves). I will go with SC 31, MD 21
I like your analysis Warrior! San Clemente has the weapons to put up a big score but a lot will depend on execution, keeping our penalties to a minimum and winning the special teams and turnover battle.
The Triton Defense is much improved from last year at all positions.
Mater Dei is at home and has a lot at state and will be battle tested after two tough losses.
It will be a tough battle, but I would be more than happy with your prediction!!
opps…I meant “a lot at STAKE”
You have the horses by far to win this game so it comes down to execution, if you execute you will win. I like the way that your new coach doesn’t try to overthink it. If he continues this SC will get the win.
i dont think mater dei will be able to stop the dominant run game of san clemente.
san clemente 37
mater dei14
Bigger game for MD than San Clemente!
Steve, for somevreason you really like MD ?
dont they have to put a net on the running back to?
and have to score on the starting defense that has only givin up 10 points
Fryer is definitely one of Mater Dei’s biggest fans!! Seems to cloud his judgement… I will apologize if I’m wrong, but I will take SC by at least two touchdowns.
Thanks for saying I have judgement to cloud!!!
I have seen Mater Dei win so many games they should have lost. But, yes, if San Clemente wins I will not be shocked. San Clemente is very good, definitely good enough to win this game.
A lot of MD people think I am anti-MD.
Hey Steve, at least you’re good-natured about the ribbing! Although I do think you would be hard-pressed to find any MD people who think you’re anti-MD lol
Seen them lose a lot of games they were supposed to win as well. Mater Dei gets a lot off their past reputation.
I will be the first to admit these high school sports writers have a tough job, convering all high school teams pretending to know something about each one. The only argument Fryer really has is “Oh it was like this last year too”. I bet if you ask him, he had not seen San Clemente play this year. This SC team may be the best team counting back 10 years. San Clemente has never won a “big game” in the past 10 years, including those DII semifinalist teams in the early 2000s. This is a huge game for SC as well, for credibility issue. I am not in the loop to know what happened to a couple of players who were hurt in last week’s game, but everyone is healthy, San Clemente prevails.
SC needs to watch for the slow start to which it is prone. A cheapie early touchdown could cost them.
Other than that, the offense is way more than Travis Wilson as it possesses a monster offensive line behind Kyle Murphy and a legit runner in Mike Elesperu.
Defensively, since the beast Victor Blackwell is gone to USC, the matured SC defense should be able to hold Mater Dei down. I’ll call it 34-22 SC.
Mater Dei has been battle tested for the last two weeks
I guess we will all see if SC is for real after three lopsided games
Mater Dei is a good team but not great. They will struggle with St. John Bosco and OLU for the third and final playoff spot in the Trinity League. San Clemente will beat Mater Dei and with their then 0-3 record Mater Dei will no longer be overrated in the OC Top 10. By the way, La Habra would take down Mater Dei. Just want to note that so the love affair with the PAC 5 and Trinity league settles down to reality.
MD almost beat Corona Centennial ! CC is far better than LH, sorry.. With another lucky game I think LH could stay close to MD but ultimately be too weak to score more than 2 tds.. The reality is that LH only losses will be to teams from P-5/Trinity.. SC is better than LH.. I would pick MD over LH and I’ve got my $ on MD vs SC as well…
SC will win by a few (say 24-20 or even 24-23). because MD won’t be able to execute that critical 4th and 1 or 2 they need to win. And with that we should finally have a week without MD in the top 10 and were on our way to PAC-5 post peason without MD. how sad is that (Not!).
I’m with CTR – LH would beat MD – LH would need to be in late season form, butthey could do it. They will win one if not both of their reminaing Trinity match-ups). GO Highlanders!
And while we’re going all contrary – Go Jackrabbits – I predict LBP over the precious MV by a touchdown.
And how about this – Edison by 10 over the Friars, I predict an offensive breakdown by Servite. if both Servite and MV lose will they still be 1 and 2 ? and who would be number 1?
You know what 1OCfan, I’m going to go out on a limb here and agree with you that La Habra would beat Mater Dei this year. Whether or not they beat Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco, well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
As for the possibility of both #1 and #2 going down this week, I think it very well could happen. If Santa Margarita wins vs. Carson, San Clemente roughs up Mater Dei, Mission Viejo trips up against LB Poly, and Servite loses to Edison, then I would expect the OC Top 10 to shape up a little something like this:
1. Santa Margarita
2. Servite
3. Mission Viejo
4. San Clemente
5. Orange Lutheran
Although these scenarios are intriguing, they are completely hypothetical. We’ll have a better idea of who are the top teams in Orange County come Saturday morning.
Tough game to call. MD played an excellent CC team very tough. SC got a huge advantage at QB…….MD loses another close one by 3.
If I’m not mistaken, SC said the same thing last year before their loss. I think their believing their own hype. After watching some of all 3 games SC has played thus far, I can say that comparing games played is like comparing apples and oranges. 2 of the 3 games SC faced very small lines and lack of team speed. The Monarchs are bigger and quicker than SC.
Also, there would be cause to worry if Wilson was fast like the CC QB, but he’s not. Besides alot of the defensive issues for MD vs CC stemmed from the no huddle offense and speed between plays. SC doesn’t play that type of offense and will be more like Carson in that regard. Minus the very fast RB from Carson and their All American WR.
If CC had problems covering MDs 2 huge receivers, SC will have an even bigger problem. And I’m sure MDs defense will welcome the chance to finally face a slower RB.
MD should win by 2 scores in this game, unless SC hasn’t played their starters thus far.
Realitycheck…you’ve got to be kidding!?!?! MD is bigger and quicker than SC? SC will dominate at the line of scrimmage. Even if MD has some size, it is not like the size of SC’s kids. And what good is size when there is very little athleticism on the line? MD’s line is unathletic and slow! Good luck with your prediction
a slower running back? have u not seen mike elespuru run? not to mention they rotate in herbert gamboa who was a state fnalist in the 100 meter
Realitycheck, You are mistaken. SCORE BOARD!!!!!!! SC WINS !!!!
Next time do your home work !!!!!!
Man are you so wrong!! What a joke your comments were. Tritons running back Mike Elespuru, who has rushed for 391 yards, eighth-most in the county, and five touchdowns until last night…had a field day. What over 150 plus yards against this…what..”The Monarchs are bigger and quicker than SC. ” When has size ever dictated a good runnng backs abilities? Oh what? SC only has the #1 offensive line man in the country..oh…and the son of USC’s Pat Harlow at the other side of Murphy! Duh! Excuse me….your analogy is….WRONG! You followed soe of SC prior games? Uh uh … your wrong Realitycheck…check your self.
You are mistaken, realitycheck. You would like to believe that’s what all the people were saying. I am sure a few were, but not to the extent you are saying. I am on record of saying San Clemente has never won a big game in the past 10 years. But the reason SC fans are extremely confident and excited is because this team is different. I wish I knew you because I’d definitely place a friendly wager with you if you are going to give me 2 TDs. I really hope MD goes into the game with the mentality this will just be like last year! I guess we will all find out in less than 36 hours.
I see Mater Dei flipping the switch, they need a win bad I see them pulling it off!
Mater Dei 24
San Clemente 21
MannyA, MD still needs a win !!! 0-3,
SC 28-21 Nice victory Tritons.
The reality of this game is that nobody really has a clue where both of these team stand until the clock hits zero’s tonight. A lot of this will fall on the O and D coordinators. Could be a chess match. When to blitz? Should we run a screen? This will show who the real deal is in Orange County. This game should be a lot of fun. I can’t wait.
Is nobody taking into account the recent coaching change at SC? I mean congrats on the 3 wins, but they were against powder puffs. I think the new coach is in over his head when matching witts with Rollinson. Also, MD not only pounded the varsity last year but the SC JV as well (score was like 44-12 or something like that). My point being there is nothing new in the SC program that is going to change similar results from reaccuring. And a head coach with 0 D1 experience certainly doesn’t help the cause.
Sounds like a certain coach may need be the one to retire huh Retired one?
ha what can I say, 2+2 doesn’t always equal 4 when it comes to football. Nice win San Clemente.
Great analogy! That must mean MD is a powder puff. Your obviously from the 50′s 60′s era pal.
Coach, SCORE BOARD !!!!!!! SC WINSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Snack on that !!!!
I’m going with the Monarchs by 7.
How long is Fryer going to keep MD in the top 10? This guy took MD over SC. I knew he was going to pick MD, but I had to see it to believe it! Ranked before Los Al? Ridiculous. Match Los Al up against any of them!
Hey Fryer, Los Al is in the OC too!
I just can’t get over Fryer picking MD week after week after week! Enough!
Steve,Steve ,Steve
I am sorry but it’s time. Your beloved Mater Dei needs to be ranked down with the rest of the mediocre teams. Wake up and do the right thing, they haven’t even started playing Trinity teams yet.
Steve, i really think it’s about time you put some crow into your Fryer, but some butter on it, and season it with a huge portion of humility, and admit to the world that you never watched any SC football game film this year! How could anyone (unless your blind) discount how SC is tearing apart each team it faced so far this year. You even commented that the SC-MD game tonight was close, but i am sure you didn’t look at the final stats or even factor in the 2 TD’s that SC “gave” MD. This game wasn’t that close! If you were actually at the game tonight you would had seen with your own two eyes which team had the “heart and will” to win it all – of course having better and bigger elite players doesn’t hurt either. Prediction: SC beats MV by 10+ and will finish #2 before playoffs!
I posted this over on Calhoun’s Thought, but maybe I should move it over to this string:
I think we’re all waiting for Fryer’s column explaining how Mater Dei was 0-3 last year, so they should move up two spots while San Clemente drops out of the top 10.
It’s worth noting that Mater Dei was two fourth-down plays and 16 seconds away from getting blown out Friday night.. At the end of the half and the end of the game, the Monarchs scored on fourth down plays with eight seconds remaining.
As perhaps a sign of what others are thinkiing, Fox Sports West didn’t even get the team’s name right on its live feed, calling them the Lions.