Sophomore running back Anthony Villegas ran for a school-record 327 yards and three touchdowns as Palma clinched a CCS playoff berth with a 31-23 win over visiting Seaside Friday night in MBL-Gabilan action.
With the victory, the Chieftains (5-4, 4-2 MBL-Gabilan), ranked No. 14 in the Prep2Prep CCS Top 25, guaranteed a top four finish in the division, which is good for an automatic berth to the playoffs. Villegas carried the ball 38 times in his powerful performance, breaking Emilio Martinez' school record set last season. Martinez, who is currently having a standout season as a freshman at the University of San Diego, set the previous Palma record by running for 310 yards in a playoff win over Saratoga last year.
Palma concludes the regular season Friday night at home against rival No. 16 San Benito (6-3, 4-2). Seaside (5-4, 2-4), which is still in the hunt for an at-large playoff berth, visits Monte Vista Christian (4-5, 2-4).
