Hartnell football

Hartnell (6-5, 4-2)
 Matt Collins is at a loss for words, which isn't often.
 Despite coming off a fourth consecutive bowl appearance, the numbers for the Panthers program are slightly down for the second straight year.
 As a result, for the first time in his 20 years as a college coach, Collins may ask players to learn both sides of the ball for depth purposes.
 "It's very uncommon to have guys go both ways at this level,'' Collins said. "I may not have a choice. It's not the turnout we had expected.''
 In part, because only 15 players from last year's bowl team are back this fall, leaving Hartnell with a freshmen heavy roster of under 50 players.
 "All the concussion information coming out might have something to do with our numbers being down,'' Collins said. "We've also got kids that have to work to help their mom and dad out.''
 And the cost of living in Salinas hasn't helped in luring out-of-state players to Hartnell, as Collins only has 10 out-of-state players this fall.
 "Kids can't afford $1,500 plus a month to pay rent,'' Collins said. "We do not have dorms like other community colleges in our conference to help house students-athletes.''
 That being said, Collins has gathered a talented core together, with thoughts on chasing a conference title and making another bowl appearance.
 "I like the players we have,'' Collins said. "To be honest, there is a lot of talent in this circle. We're looking forward to positive outcomes.''
 Few programs have been as successful as Hartnell of late, who went 42-12 during a five year stretch before finishing 6-5 last year.
 "We lost one game in the last 17 seconds and our bowl game by one point,'' Collins said. "That same team (Merced) handed us our lunch six weeks earlier. We could have easily been 8-3.''
 That's not lost on the sophomores that have returned this season, including all-conference lineman Angel Maldonado, who lead the Panthers in sacks with 8 1/2.
 "We know we don't like how it feels to fall in close games,'' said Maldonado, a Palma product. "We know a play or two could've been the difference. But it's in the past.''
 The immediate concern for Collins is landing a quarterback. The two that are in camp were not on the roster last year and didn't have a spring to learn the system.
 "I have a transfer and a freshman,'' Collins said.
 Sharing the reps in practice have been Nick Moreno and Monte Vista Christian grad Devon Daich, who threw for over 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
 "We weren't able to see either of these guys in the spring,'' Collins said. "So we haven't done a lot of 7-on-7's.''
 Building chemistry with the receiving core has been on-the-job training. Getting the ball to J'uan Campbell should be a priority for either quarterback.
 Last fall Campbell caught 28 passes and compiled over 600 yards in kickoff returns. He might be the most dangerous player on the field for Hartnell.
 Freshman Jose Espinosa will return to a receiver position after playing quarterback last season at Gonzales. As a junior in 2015, he caught 45 passes for nearly 800 yards.
 "Right now we need reps,'' Collins said.
 Collins may have landed a jewel at the tailback position in Keishawn Robinson, who rushed for over 1,700 yards last year at Seaside.
 Robinson is elusive and lightening fast out of the backfield, with eight of his 20 touchdowns being 40 yards or longer.
 "He looked good in our off-season program,'' Collins said.
 The Panthers have a couple of beasts returning in the trenches to pound the ball in Carmel product Sione Fiefia and Alvaez alum Aldo Flores.
 "It took a couple of games last fall to adjust to the speed and intensity of the game,'' Flores said. "We are going to have to throw some of these freshmen into the fire. I'm confident they'll adjust.''
 Flores and Fiefia quickly became fixtures on the offensive line last fall as freshmen, creating holes for the ground game to provide Hartnell with another 1,000 yard running back.
 "It all starts with practice and your habits,'' Flores said. "We need to eliminate the mental mistakes. When games are tight, it comes down to execution.''
 Defensively, the Panthers are going to come after people with a pair of pass rushing demons in Matt Wright and Maldonado.
 Maldonado made a smooth transition to the college game, compiling 50 tackles while Wright had 39 tackles, four sacks and two touchdown catches as a reserve tight end.
 "Those are two guys you might see on the offensive side of the ball in platoon situations,'' Collins said. "I need my best players on the field.''
 One of the top cornerbacks in the conference is back in Darren Jones, who Collins can leave alone on an island.
 "Our numbers are down, but I feel our chemistry is much better,'' Maldonado said. "We've got some freshmen that can play. I like the bond we're building.''