Clausen simply the best
OCHS senior breaks California's career touchdown passing record
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

RECORD BREAKER-Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen launches a pass during last weekend's 70-9 victory over St. Bernard in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division playoffs. Clausen broke California's career record for touchdown passes during the contest. He now has 134 scoring tosses.

Last Friday night Oaks Christian quarterback Jimmy Clausen did more than throw four touchdown tosses; he passed the alltime record for touchdowns thrown by a California high school quarterback.

With 2:15 left in the second quarter and the Lions already up 35-3 against St. Bernard, Clausen lofted a 14-yard fade pass to Sean Wiser in the left corner of the end zone. With the touchdown pass, Clausen moved past former L.A. Cathedral quarterback Robert De La Cruz, who previously held the record with 132 career touchdown throws.

"It's funny to say this, but it's something I wasn't really thinking about coming into this game," Clausen said. "I knew I was close and it was a record that was eventually going to fall sooner or later. I've been very fortunate to have a very good offensive line and very good wide receivers who are great at catching the ball."

The record could have possibly fallen games ago, as Clausen broke it despite having never played a fourth quarter in his career and hardly ever playing a second half due to the Lions' big first-half leads during Clausen's tenure at OCHS.

If you calculate what his numbers would be if he played a full game every week, Clausen would have more than 200 career touchdowns in just over three seasons.

"He doesn't play at all in the second half about 50 to 60 percent of the time," OCHS head coach Bill Redell said. "I'm very happy for Jimmy and his accomplishment. I think he has been very successful because he gets rid of the ball very quickly and the ball gets to the receiver much quicker than usual.

"The offensive line has helped him, too. Anytime you have time to stand back and throw, you are going to be very successful."

Clausen, who is bound for Notre Dame after his senior year, has performed well in 2006.

The senior was 11for16 passing with 166 yards against St. Bernard, putting his season totals at 2,508 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Clausen is also high on the alltime passing yards leader list in California, as he moved into fourth place with 9,757 yards in his career. Clausen could move into second place soon. He's only 64 yards away from Chris Czernek and 114 yards from Keith Smith, both of whom played for Newbury Park. Michael Herrick's state record of 11,022 yards for Valencia High appears to be out of reach for Clausen.

Although Clausen broke the touchdown record, the night was dampened when Oaks Christian running back Marc Tyler injured his leg and was lost for the season in the first quarter.

"Yeah, it was weird not having Marc here tonight when I broke the record," Clausen said. "While I've been here he has played really hard for us and he has become like a brother to me. We're all praying everything goes all right for him."

Clausen and OCHS will be back in action when they play at Morro Bay Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the second round of the CIFSouthern Section Northwest Division playoffs.