Hartnell-MPC football

Saturday's game
Hartnell (7-0) at Monterey Peninsula (4-3), 6 p.m.
 While the Panthers strive for perfection in what has been a magical start, MPC is playing for its season in terms of conference title and potential bowl berths.
 Another loss would be crippling for the Lobos, who after a 4-0 beginning, have dropped consecutive games.
 Of course, two of those setbacks came out of conference, meaning MPC sits just one game behind Hartnell and Reedley in the American Golden Coast Conference standings.
 The Panthers continue to prevail in tight games, having won four games decided by six points or less this fall, including last Saturday's 34-27 decision over Merced.
 Quarterback Isaiah Ariolla-Randalle leads the state in passing average per game for Hartnell, having thrown for 2,505 yards and 22 touchdowns this fall.
 While the Panthers lost one of their top receivers in Devon Owens to a season ending injury, Salinas High grad Jeff Weimer and Duante Moore are a dynamic combination.
 Weimer has 48 catches for 610 yards and eight touchdowns while Owens has grabbed 34 passes for a team high 698 yards and five touchdowns.
 The Lobos offense has revolved around San Benito graduate Hunter Nye, who is second in the state in yards rushing per game with 145.5 and third in the state with 10 touchdowns.
 Nye has rushed for 199 yards and 215 yards in his last two games for the Lobos, giving him 1,018 on the season. He also has 26 catches for 255 yards and four touchdowns.
 MPC changed quarterbacks in the second half last week against De Anza with Christopher Lubinsky tossing two touchdown passes and Brent Bailey rushing for a pair.
 Throwing the ball against Hartnell's defense means dealing with three pass rushing demons in Alisal grad Alexis Ramos, Seaside product DeMarcus Hawkins and Chauncey Jackson.
 Ramos leads the state in sacks with 11.5 and has a team high 58 tackles for Hartnell, while Jackson has 9.5 sacks and Hawkins eight sacks and two fumble recoveries, returning one for six.
 Hartnell has recorded 16 turnovers this year, with Drew Schuler having bounced on three fumbles, and Trey Smith and Jakari Jenkins each having three interceptions.
 Look for MPC's Raymond Wingate to create headaches in the Panthers passing game, producing 10 sacks and three fumble recoveries this year.
 Denzel Hayes has four interceptions, returning one for a pick six. The Lobos are plus two in turnover ratio his fall.
 Since shutting out San Jose City four weeks, ago, MPC has given up 107 points in their three losses.