CHULA VISTA — The No. 1 goal, Alexander Villanueva said, was to win the championship.

But if I got the record, too, that meant we had a good chance at winning the championship, he said.

Villanueva, a senior running back, carried 46 times for 297 yards and five touchdowns Saturday afternoon, leading Monte Vista High School to a 38-20 win over Bonita Vista in the CIF San Diego Section Division 5 championship game at Southwestern College.

The 297 yards put his single-season mark at 3,006 yards, breaking the San Diego Section record of 2,974 set by Mission Bays Dillon Baxter in 2009.

Villanueva started the game with 2,709 yards, then passed former NFL players Ricky Seale of Escondido, Royce Freeman of Imperial and Tyler Gaffney of Cathedral Catholic along with Travis Bernard of Valley Center en route to 3,000.

Twelve of his 46 carries went for 10 yards or more. Villanueva lost yards on just two carries, one of which was a four-yarder on his last carry that dropped him from 301 yards to 297.

Who called that play? said Monte Vista coach Ron Hamamoto. Honestly, Alexander is such a good kid. The players love him. The staff loves him. Were fortunate to have him.

Monte Vistas Alexander Villanueva (2) and head coach Ron Hamamoto hug after the CIF San Diego Section Division 5 football championship game against Bonita Vista at Southwestern College on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Chula Vista, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Villanueva was quick to credit his offensive line of Ace Garcia, Anthony Gastelo, Robert Vasquez, Adrian Perez, Emilio Suarez and Jean Paul Ibochwa.

What a great back we have, Vasquez said. We know if we do our job, hell get four, five, six yards or more.

Asked what was working particularly well Saturday, Vasquez was quick to say 17.

Thats our terminology for a sweep, Vasquez said. And it was there all game.

Monte Vistas Robert Vasquez (55) and Alexander Villanueva (2) celebrate on the field during the CIF San Diego Section Division 5 football championship game against Bonita Vista at Southwestern College on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Chula Vista, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Villanueva scored four times on 1-yard runs and had another for 10 yards. Saturday marked the ninth time this season he rushed for 200 yards or more.

We were the last team in the playoffs, the underdog every game, Villanueva said. So for us to win it, and for me to get the record, means so much.

Monte Vista, the 12th and final seed in their bracket, improves to 9-5 and advances to the Southern California Regionals. Pairings will be announced Sunday afternoon.

The season is over for No. 2-seeded Bonita Vista, which finishes 7-6.

A 2,700-yard running back is not a fluke, said Bonita Vista coach Jay Hernandez. Hes the real deal and we understood the task. We did everything we could moved people around, changed fronts. Their O-line was just pushing us around.

Monte Vistas Jean Pierre Ibochwa (57), Robert Vasquez (55), and Alexander Villanueva (2) celebrate after the CIF San Diego Section Division 5 football championship game against Bonita Vista at Southwestern College on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Chula Vista, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Monte Vista finished with 310 rushing yards. Quarterback Derrick Taylor threw for 58 yards, 29 of them to Villanueva.

Bonita Vista rushed 18 times for seven yards. The Barons threw for 118 yards, with the bulk of those coming after the game had been decided.

Randy Terrell had three sacks for Monte Vista, while Daygo Rios Sanchez and Lakai Dean both had one.

Monte Vista 38, Bonita Vista 20

Monte Vista 7 14 14 3 38

Bonita Vista 7 0 0 13 20

MV — Villanueva 1 run (Baca kick)

BV — McMackin 11 pass from I. Luna (Rojas kick)

MV — Villanueva 1 run (Baca kick)

MV — Villanueva 1 run (Baca kick)

MV — Villanueva 10 run (Baca kick)

MV — Villanueva 12 run (Baca kick)

MV — Baca 30 FG

BV — D. Luna 15 pass from Smith (kick failed)

BV — Flores 2 pass from Romo (Rojas kick)