Palma football

 All season it's been a teaching process. Learning on the fly is how coach Jeff Carnazzo has described it.
 A road filled with bumps and barriers has turned a corner. The Chieftains run of 32 straight playoff appearances is still on the line. Yet, now it is within their control.
 "We're becoming more of a physical football team, in the mood of past Palma teams,'' Carnazzo said. "You're seeing the growth and maturity each week.''
 For all the challenges Carnazzo has faced during a 17 year career, that has witnessed 14 league titles and four section crowns, this one was different.
 It's not that Palma hasn't struggled out of the gates in the past. Just four years ago, it opened 0-3. And last year it started 0-2.
 The difference is Palma went on a seven game winning streak in 2013 and rattled off 10 consecutive  wins last year.
 That didn't happen this fall. At one point, Palma was 1-3. It has two losses in league play for the first time in 33 years.
 New faces have covered both sides of the ball. There would be no learning curve. It got humbled in its first two games. Palma gave up 35 unanswered points to Aptos after holding a 13-0 halftime lead.
 All learning moments in the mind of Carnazzo.
 If the last two games are an indication, progress has been made as Palma has produced 85 points. It had 83 points in its first six games combined.
 Anthony Villegas has evolved around a maturing offensive line, as he's closing in on a 1,000 yard rushing season for Palma
 And the first unit defense has not allowed a point in three of its last four games. Palma is going to have to win one of its final two games to likely earn a postseason spot.
 Not a simple task with Seaside and San Benito left on the schedule. Remember only four teams are a lock to reach the playoffs in the Gabilan Division this year.
 "We're going to find out how much we've improved in the next two weeks,'' Carnazzo said.