Football Tour XVII

Hartnell (9-2, 5-0)
 The talent pool was deep last year for the Panthers, who had 17 players earn football scholarships from their Coast Conference and bowl championship team.
 That's 17 starters that head coach Matt Collins must replace as Hartnell embarks on a new era in junior college football with the changes in the conferences.
 "That's the challenge in JC football,'' said Collins, who has guided Hartnell to four conference titles in the past five years. "We have 55 freshmen that don't know how football works at this level.''
 Replacing career rushing record holder De'Andre Mann (now at Kansas) in the backfield is a tall order. It may be a running back by committee approach.
 The Panthers do have quarterback Michael Turner to build around. In a backup role last year, the Seaside High graduate threw just one pick in 104 attempts.
 "The offense was difficult to grasp at first,'' Turner said. "Last year I went through my progressions as fast as possible. Everything is a lot easier when you know what you're doing.''
 The 6-foot-5 Turner will have his brother, Ronnie, flanking one side of the field. Over the last two years, the younger, 6-4 Turner caught 75 passes at Seaside -- several of them highlight-reel catches.
 Defensively, all-conference defensive back Nias Martin is back to solidify the secondary. If you're looking for intangibles, Gil Camacho booted 9-of-12 field goals last year.

 Check The Herald's website for an interview with Hartnell College coach Matt Collins.