MARMONTE LEAGUE

Royal 42, Simi Valley 8--Greg Morris rushed for three touchdowns and helped the Highlanders clinch their first playoff berth in five years and post a fourth consecutive victory over their cross-town rivals at Royal.

Morris’ six-yard scoring run with 1:43 to play in the first quarter capped a nine-play 56-yard drive that cut the Pioneers’ lead to 8-6.

Morris, who rushed for 146 yards in 17 carries, went over from one yard early in the second quarter to give Royal (6-3-1, 3-2-1) a 14-8 lead. The drive was set up by a partially blocked punt by Sanders Marine that gave the Highlanders a first down at the Simi Valley 26-yard line.

Morris added a four-yard score on Royal’s opening possession of the third quarter.

James Cox of Royal, who completed eight of 20 passes for 82 yards, had a 20-yard touchdown pass to Robert Davis in the second quarter and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wiesenhan in the fourth quarter.

Davis also had a two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Simi Valley (0-10, 0-7) scored on its opening possession when Chris Delung ran four yards for a touchdown to cap a 66-yard drive.

Delung had 104 yards in 27 carries.