Football: Jack Shippy is happy to be back at his neighborhood school, San Clemente

San Clemente’s football team prides itself on its “onetownoneteam” selling point. No one ever leaves picturesque San Clemente, right?

Well, junior strong safety Jack Shippy was one player who got away. He was enrolled at San Juan Capistrano JSerra for two football seasons, choosing to play with his youth football friends. Then he changed his mind.

“I wanted to be back with the people I grew up with,” he said. “I love my JSerra football team and had no idea I’d get so close to my San Clemente football team.”

Shippy had to sit out the first five games this season after transferring, but he had no indication he’d get the chance to play in 11 games. Yes, the Tritons’ season is still going.

They play in the CIF state championship Division 1-A bowl game on Saturday at noon against Loomis Del Oro at Sacramento State. And Shippy might have the freshest legs of all.

He leads the team in interceptions with six. He’s having so much fun playing with players he grew up with. And he can’t wait to resume his San Clemente-learned sport, surfing, early in the morning at the San Clemente Pier.

“Next semester, I don’t have a first period, so I can go surfing every morning, so that’s an amazing opportunity,” he said.

He’s already plotting a Sunday surfing excursion with teammates if the Tritons return home state champions.

“That would be the best thing I could think of,” he said.