Hartnell football

American Golden Coast Conference

Hartnell (5-5, 4-2)

 Heart and determination willed the Panthers to a .500 record last year. Because a program finishing the campaign with just 30 players had no business contending for a bowl game.

 Yet, Hartnell was perhaps two plays away from being 7-3 instead of 5-5. It found itself involved in six games decided by six points or less, going 2-4 in those battles.

 "It's a credit to the kids we had and our coaching staff,'' Hartnell coach Matt Collins said. "We were facing programs with twice as many players as us. Injuries cut into our depth last year."

 So thin at some positions because of injuries, Collins was forced to use a handful of players on both sides of the ball -- a first in his 12 year long tenure at Hartnell.

 While it's not ideal, Collins could find himself in that situation again this fall. While 58 players are on the roster, 43 are freshmen.

 "We're going to prepare a couple of guys up front to do that for us," Collins said. "If we wait until midseason, we won't be prepared and it will hurt us. The numbers just aren't what they've been."

 Particularly when it comes to recruiting players out of state. Collins has just 10 out of state players on this year's roster.

 "I don't know how other schools are doing it," Collins said. "There's nowhere for them to live that is affordable. It's squeezing kids out that come from backgrounds without a lot of financial support."

 Injuries have already crept up in the first week of practice for the Panthers, as two players suffered concussions. Just four offensive lineman were healthy at a recent practice.

 "When you are already thin up front on both sides of the ball, yeah it becomes a concern," Collins said. "We lost two other guys to eligibility that would have helped."

 While the numbers are better this fall and the depth has slightly improved, it is still nowhere near what the program has possessed in the past, reaching as high as 90 players.

 "I like our group and our attitude," Collins said. "We feel good about the local kids we were able to recruit this year. We're just so young. The sophomores that are back are going to lead by example."

 That would include offensive lineman Aldo Flores, an Alvarez High product, who missed last year and redshirted after an injury. The 265-pounder has colleges eying his talent.

 "He's a nice piece to build this offensive line around," Collins said.

 Flores will provide stability in the trenches for the Panthers. A punishing run blocker, he will also protect the quarterbacks blind side.

 It was on-the-job training last year for freshman tailback Keishawn Robinson, as the Seaside High product responded by rushing for nearly 800 yards and seven touchdowns.

 "Last year I set goals for myself," Robinson said. "This year I'm not setting any. I don't want to put any limitations on myself and what my potential is."

 Robinson showed durability with 174 carries. Creating space is all the sprinter needs to get out in the open field. He also caught 14 passes last year, averaging 18 yards a catch.

 "He's a wiry guy," Collins said. "But he has great durability, balance and vision. He's a better ball catcher out of the backfield. He'll be more than a one dimensional back."

 And Robinson won't have to carry the entire load as Collins landed Soledad's all-time leading rusher in Emmanuel Ortega, who produced three straight 1,000 plus yard rushing seasons.

 "He'll be in a position where he'll line up as a slot receiver,'' Collins said. "He's very efficient and will play a key role for us."

 While it has been more than 18 months since former Carmel tailback Covossay Windham carried the ball after tearing his knee, the redshirt freshman is working his way back into playing shape.

 In just 26 games for Carmel, Windham rushed for 4,253 yards, while scoring 53 touchdowns.

 "We have to get him in shape," Collins said. "He could certainly help us."

 Collins has made some adjustments to the offense, which at times struggled to score points last year. Quarterback Isaiah Arriola-Randelle has looked sharp since arriving from Sacramento.

 The freshman has quickly built a bond with freshman receiver Jeffrey Reimer, who caught 56 passes for nearly 800 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall for CCS Division I champion Salinas.

 "I'm liking our perimeter game," Collins said. "The quarterback has a good arm and is athletic. We have been able to vary our offense based on our personnel."

 While the offense could go throw some growing pains while it grooms a new quarterback, Hartnell's defense has three returning starters back in the fold, starting with Alexis Ramos.

 The former Alisal linebacker compiled 85 tackles last year, 57 of which were solo. Ramos also had six sacks and forced three fumbles.

 "We battled through some adversity last year," Ramos said. "As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another. The sophomores held us accountable last year. Now it's our turn to do the same."

 Having a healthy Chauncey Jackson back will help solidify the Panthers linebacker core as he'll play along side Ramos and freshman Drew Schuler.

 Last year Schuler compiled over 100 tackles for Salinas and had a pair of interceptions. He gives the Panthers depth in a position of strength.

 "I like our energy," Ramos said. "We just have to stay healthy. Everyone on this roster has a role and a job to do."

 Limited to six games last fall, Jackson averaged 6.2 tackles a game for Hartnell, recording two sacks while breaking up a handful of passes.

 Collins' concern is the core up front as the defensive line will consist of new faces that need to grow up quickly.

 "You look at our front and it's a bunch of guys that were role players last year or freshman," Collins said. "We like them and their energy. But there's a lot of inexperience right now."

 The secondary has some depth, starting with former King City standout Christian Olmos, who made a big impact after being primarily a tailback in high school.

 Blessed with sprinters speed and good vision, Olmos had an interception and three fumble recoveries last year, recording 38 tackles.

 "What I see this year is more bodies and more people that are hungry," Robinson said. "Whether it's in the weight room, the field or in the lockerroom, we have leaders that will pick us up."