By Steve Breazeale
San Clemente junior quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a fracture in his foot during the second quarter of the team’s September 12 game against Dana Hills, head coach Jaime Ortiz confirmed Wednesday.
With the clock winding down and his team trailing the Dolphins, Darnold rolled out of the pocket and made a move up field. A group of Dolphins tackled him and Darnold came down awkwardly. He was able to finish off the drive and threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Collin Zines that made it 14-13. However, it was apparent something was wrong with Darnold after the pass, as he walked straight to the sidelines and was attended to by the Tritons coaching staff and trainers. He would not return to the game.
After meeting with a doctor Monday, it was deemed that Darnold suffered a fracture of his fifth metatarsal, a long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.
Darnold, who is also a standout basketball player, was set to undergo surgery on Wednesday and no timetable has been set for his return. Given the severity of the injury, Ortiz thinks Darnold is unlikely to take the field again this season.
“I’m not a doctor but with the surgery, we will take it week by week. The chances of him playing this year are very slim,” Ortiz said.
Rather than rest the injury, Ortiz said, the decision to surgically operate on the foot was made.
It is the second time in as many years that Darnold has suffered a significant injury, although they have occurred on two different parts of his body. After filling in for starter Sean Donnelly last season in a game against La Costa Canyon, Darnold injured his right hand. He continued to play linebacker for the Tritons and would return to play quarterback later in the season.
Darnold was off to a hot start in 2013 and showcased his dual threat ability in the three games he started under center. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 337 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also the team’s leading rusher, as he took the ball 36 times for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Loren Applegate will start for the Tritons when they host La Costa Canyon on September 20. Applegate was in a similar situation in 2012, when he was called upon to be the starter following Donnelly and Darnold’s injuries. Ortiz said that Applegate is “battle tested” after starting games against Newport Harbor and Edison last season. Applegate also finished off the second half of the September 12 game against Dana Hills.
Sophomore Cole Fotheringham is also getting reps at quarterback during practice, Ortiz said.
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