San Clemente football beats Vista Murrieta with big plays in Division 2 quarterfinal

MURRIETA — Because of big returns on the field, San Clemente’s football team returns to the CIF-Southern Section semifinals for the first time since 2019. Thomas Alexander returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown to close out the first half, Patrick Norman scampered 87 yards for a score after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter, and Jaxon Rex capped the evening by taking an interception back 37 yards for a touchdown as the Tritons defeated Vista Murrieta, 32-7, in a Division 2 quarterfinal on Friday night. San Clemente, seeking its first CIF-SS crown since its state championship run in 2016, improved to 9-3 and will hit the road again Friday to...