Hartnell-MPC football

Saturday's game
Hartnell (6-2) at MPC (7-1), 6 p.m.
 How is this game not played in the final week of the season? It's one of the oldest rivalry games in college football.
 And once again, both MPC and the Panthers are chasing a conference title, locked in a tie for first with West Hills in the loss column with one.
 By virtue of a 40-32 shootout win over defending champion West Hills, the Panthers control their fate as a win over the Lobos will give them no worse than a share of the conference crown.
 Hartnell's final game is a non-conference matchup, while MPC still has 1-7 Reedley. Which means a win over the Panthers would likely give them no worse than a share of the title.
 What is also at stake is a potential bowl game. The Golden American Coast Conference will likely see two teams invited to take part in a bowl game. But not three.
 The Lobos have put up big offensive numbers this year behind quarterback Kody Steele, who has thrown for 1,755 yards and 18 touchdowns.
 Monterey High grad Michael Armstead and Michael Williams have been Steele's primary targets, as the pair have combined for 78 catches for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns.
 Don't discount Deryan Sanders, who has 41 receptions and King City product Jarod Davis, who has three touchdown catches on 17 receptions.
 Defensively, Seaside graduate Andrew Jakubowky has been a beast in the middle, leading the team in tackles for the second straight year.
 Bowen Sweeney is coming off an 18 tackle effort while Salinas grad Elijah Kirkland intercepted his third pass of the season last week for the Lobos.
 No one has had a better season defensively than Hartnell linebacker Donyae Moody, who is second in the state in tackles per game at 11.3.
 Last week Moody spent time on the offensive end, catching a touchdown pass along with Monterey grad Matthew Wright, who is also normally a linebacker.
 Palma product Angel Maldonaldo has come on in the second half for Hartnell with a team leading seven sacks, while Alvarez alum Lanier King has six.
 Offensively Sherrod Hawkes is a step closer to another 1,000 yard season after rushing for 108 last week, giving him 820 yards and seven rushing touchdowns on the season.
 Receiver Randy Ivey was sharp when forced to come in at quarterback after Dorion Isaak suffered a concussion, completing 5-of-7, while tossing a pair of touchdown passes for Hartnell.
  It's uncertain who will start this week for the Panthers.