Merced-Hartnell football

Saturday's game
Merced (3-3) vs. Hartnell (6-0) at Rabobank, 6 p.m. 
 Don't be mislead by Merced's marginal 3-3 record. It has won three straight and is undefeated in the American Golden Coast Conference along with Hartnell and Reedley.
 Last week it used 279 rushing yards from WR Sanders to defeat MPC 35-22. Prior to that, Sanders had just 162 yards in his first five games.
 The Panthers, who have already surpassed last year's entire win total, saw their scoring average dip from 41 points a game to 38.5 after shutting out San Jose City 28-0.
 Isaiah Ariolla-Randall has thrown for 2,032 yards and 17 touchdowns this year, with Salinas product Jeff Weimer having caught 41 passes and a team leading seven touchdowns.
 Davon Owens has turned four of his team leading 43 receptions into touchdowns for Hartnell while Keishawn Robinson has rushed for a team high 285 yards, raising his average to 4.3.
 Alisal grad Alexis Ramos is putting together an MVP type season on defense, leading the Panthers in tackles (51), with a state leading 11.5 sacks.
 As a team, Hartnell has compiled 43 sacks this year with Chauncey Jackson and DeMarcus Hawkins combining for 14.
 The trio will put pressure on Merced quarterback Darrion Cole, who has thrown seven touchdowns, and just one interception.
 Hartnell has produced 14 turnovers on defense with Hawkins returning a fumble for a touchdown and Jakob Streeter turning an interception into a 45 yard pick six.
 While the Panthers last two wins have been by 20 plus points, they've been involved in three games decided by six points or less. Merced is 1-1 in games decided by a field goal or less.












 Darrion Cole 653 and seven tds. As a team created 12 tunovers, but also hav e12 turnovers.