Hartnell football

Hartnell College Panthers (10-1, 4-1)
 The disappointment of seeing its run of four straight conference titles snapped -- along with a nine game winning streak -- was soften by a 10 win season and a bowl victory for Hartnell.
 Not in the Matt Collins era had Hartnell put together a 10 win season. It had been close with back-to-back nine win seasons.
 Over the last five years under Collins, the Panthers have gone 41-12, one of the best records in the state over that time frame.
 Yet, the numbers this year are down about 20 players.
 "To answer the question, recruiting is always a challenge regardless of how successful we've been,'' Collins said. "We're consistently trying to find guys help us become a better team.''
 Nothing wrong with 63 quality players.
 Collins made his system work last year with an undersized quarterback throwing for a school record for yards, and no running back with more than 600 rushing yards.
 That should change this year with the return of Sherrod Hawkes, who was forced to sit out last season because of a shoulder injury after rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2014.
 "I dislocated my shoulder and had to rehab it,'' Hawkes said. "I missed the game a lot. But I got physically stronger and faster. My goal is to take this team to a bowl game and set the school rushing record."
 Hawkes is an explosive back that gives Hartnell another dimension in an offense that has been one of the best in the conference over the last five years.
 Help will come in the backfield with the return of Palma graduate Marcus Washington, who missed the first three games last year after being hit by a car, rushing for 590 yards.
 The pair’s presence in the backfield could make the Panthers more run oriented this fall, although both are threats as receivers.
 Collins hasn’t had a quarterback start in consecutive seasons for four years. That won’t change this year as Dorian Isaak will be the front runner to replace Justyn Gutierrez.
 Isaak, who set numerous prep passing records in the state of Alaska, didn’t get many attempts with Gutierrez shattering school records. But the left-hander showed flashes by completing 11-of-18 for 129 yards, averaging 21.5 yards a completion.
 It won't hurt having a core of receivers that includes Monterey grad Skye Keller and North Salinas alum Randy Ivey.
 Hartnell’s defense allowed just 18.1 points a game last year. Two key ingredients this season will be defensive tackle Eduardo Barbosa and transfer linebacker Donyae Moody.
 Barbosa, The Herald’s Defensive Player of the Year at Palma in 2014, missed six games last year for Hartnell because of an injury. He provides a big push in the middle.
 Collins called Moody an athletic linebacker with size and speed. He should form a nice tandem with returning linebacker Tymetrius Richburg.