After a year filled with many ups and downs, North Miami Beach ended its season on a major high, as it ran for 239 yards and defeated Palmetto 38-14 on Friday night at North Miami Stadium.

The Chargers (6-4) dismantled the Panthers, marching up and down the field for 17 first downs.

North Miami Beach coach Jeff Bertani said the running game clicked.

''Our guys did a great job up front,'' Bertani said. ``We wanted to come out and set the tone early, being very physical, getting a good push up front to open running lanes for the backs.''

The Chargers wasted little time setting the tone, turning their opening possession into a 12-play, 70-yard drive. The drive was fueled by the ground attack, as quarterback Nico Flores had runs of 18 and 17 yards. Flores' runs set up Markeith Russell for a 13-yard touchdown scamper around the outside.

Flores, a senior, put on one of his best rushing performances of the season, totaling 70 yards on the ground along with a rushing touchdown.

Russell, also a senior, led the team with 87 rushing yards on 12 carries to go along with two rushing scores.

After a successful two-point conversion, the Chargers led 8-0 with 6:27 left in the first quarter.

Palmetto responded on its next possession, only needing two plays to cut into the deficit, as running back Wilfred Butler took a counter-action play 45 yards for a score.

Panthers running back Jaamal Berry played Friday for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain four weeks ago. His first run was a 38-yard scamper down the North Miami Beach sideline, but he was limited to 17 yards after that to finish with 55 yards on eight carries.

After falling behind 16-7, Palmetto attempted to cut into the deficit just before halftime, but Kevin Karpiak missed a 41-yard field goal.

The second half completely belonged to the Chargers, as they rattled off 22 unanswered points, including a 33-yard touchdown strike from Flores to Ritchy Desir in the corner of the end zone. Flores had 140 passing yards.

• Sheridan Hills 25, Palmer Trinity 21: Sheridan Hills senior running back Frainy Alfrena gained 175 yards to break the single-season, small-school rushing record in Broward.

Alfrena had 2,067 yards in nine games entering Friday's battle against visiting Miami-Palmer Trinity. When he was done against the Falcons (5-5), his season total reached 2,242, eclipsing the mark (2,078) set last season by University School's Michael Barasch.

''I was happy and excited,'' said the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Alfrena, who gained 405 yards against Highlands Christian earlier this season. ``To break the single-season rushing record was one of my goals. If I just played my game right, I knew I could get it. Now whoever wants to break it will have to work their butt off like I did.''

Alfrena set the record on his third carry of the game during the Sharks' second possession on a 2-yard run.

Sharks coach Joel Dunn added: ``Frainy broke the record in the offseason when he did all that work in the weight room. While his friends were hanging out, he was in there religiously.''

In a battle of playoff-bound teams, Sheridan Hills (8-2) pulled off the dramatic upset when -- who else? -- Alfrena returned a kickoff 79 yards with 37 seconds to play for the winning score.

Trailing 18-9, Palmer Trinity scored twice in the fourth quarter, including a 16-yard touchdown run by David Omachonu with 57 seconds to go to put the Falcons ahead 21-18, setting the stage for Alfrena's big return.

''The coaches said, `Frainy, we really need you right now,''' said Alfrena, who finished with 201 kick-return yards.

Alfrena got key blocks from Joey Barillo, Justin Cox and Jeremy McPaw. Also, McPaw along with Brandon Cross, David Delsoin, Jerry Fontus, Tommy Hernandez and John Simu keyed the offensive line, which helped Alfrena set the mark.

• There was some question about the record number, as The Miami Herald reported Barasch finished the 2007 season with 2,078 yards and the South Florida Sun Sentinel listed in its Player of the Year story 2,071 yards. Either case, Alfrena surpassed both Friday, and he can add to the small school record next week when the playoffs begin.

-- JIM VARSALLONE

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