11/21/2018

Aptos-Palma football

Central Coast Section Open Division III semifinals
Friday's game
Aptos (9-2) vs. Palma (10-1) at Rabobank, 7 p.m.
 No program benefited more from the unexpected week off because of poor air quality than Aptos, who used the extra week to heel up after two physical battles with Palma and Salinas.
 And it showed as the Mariners looked more like the team that started the year 8-0, by erupting for a season high 62 points in a postseason win over Terra Nova.
 Of course, Aptos also gave up 37 points after allowing 40 in a five point loss to Palma and 21 in the second half of a four-point setback to Salinas.
 The Chieftains have had 14 days to gear up for their rematch with Aptos, in which Marco Pezzini's tackle at the one-yard line as time expired preserved the win.
 Quarterback Grant Sergent is having an MVP type season for Palma, having thrown for 2,121 yards and a school record 27 touchdown passes, with one interception in his last 19 games.
 Aptos made a consensus effort in the first meeting to stop Micah Olivas, and with good reason as 15 of the receivers 27 receptions have gone for touchdowns.
 Sergent turned for Pezzini and Jon Jon Berring, who combined for eight catches for 264 yards and five touchdowns in Palma's 40-35 win at Aptos.
 And there's always one of the top tailbacks in the county in the Palma backfield in Anthony Villegas, who has rushed for over 100 yards in 18 of his last 20 games.
 Aptos' attack starts with Marco Reyes, who has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 26 touchdowns, while quarterback Hunter Matys has thrown for over 700 yards and rushed for over 500.
 Are we in for another shootout?  During its seven game winning streak, Palma is averaging 47 points a game while Aptos has produced 506 points this year.
 Defense decided the outcome in the first meeting. Both teams have also produced a pair of shutouts this fall.




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