Jeff Clayton

School: Trabuco Hills High

Sport: Football

Position: Tailback

Class: Senior

Because he plays on a team with 2,000-yard passer Pat Barnes, Clayton doesn’t get the carries or the attention given more celebrated running backs. Clayton, a two-time, first-team, All-Pacific Coast League back, averaged 12 carries and 80 yards during the regular season. In the first round of the Division VII playoffs, Clayton rushed seven times for 31 yards. In that 42-21 victory over St. Francis, Barnes passed for 279 yards. But because of Friday’s windy conditions and Arroyo Grande’s defensive strategy, Trabuco Hills gave Clayton 23 chances to run the ball. “When people defend for the pass, we give the ball to Jeff,” Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. Clayton, 5 feet 11, 190 pounds, with the nickname “Beef,” made much of his opportunity. He gained a career-high 215 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the Mustangs’ 28-10 victory. With the performance, Clayton, who also scored the Mustangs’ first touchdown of the game on a nine-yard pass from Barnes, has gained 1,049 yards this season.

Other top performers:

Billy Blanton, who passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns in Mater Dei’s 46-16 victory over Fontana in a Division I playoff game.

Mike Love, a Katella cross-country runner who finished second in the Division II race at the CIF State championships in 15 minutes 41 seconds, the fastest time for an Orange County runner.

Chris Lynch, who finished fifth in the Division III race at the state cross-country championships, finishing in 15:46 to lead Laguna Hills to the team title.

Scott Seal, who gained 190 yards--including 144 in the second half--and scored three touchdowns in Irvine’s 37-18 victory over Ventura in the Division II playoffs.