Yuba-Hartnell football

Living Breath Foundation Bowl

Saturday's game

Yuba (7-3) vs. Hartnell (8-2) at Rabobank, 1 p.m.

 Obviously teams change over the course of 12 weeks.

 Yet, this is an anticipated sequel among two programs that engaged in an epic season opener, that ended with Hartnell scoring in the final 22 seconds to prevail 34-28 at Yuba.

 The Panthers used a defensive touchdown for DeMarcus Hawkins to turn the tide, outscoring the 49ers 20-8 over the final 20 minutes to win the game.

 After dropping its first two games of the season, Yuba ran off seven straight wins before falling to 10-0 De Anza in its season finale.

 The Panthers opened the year with seven consecutive wins before dropping two of their final three, including a season ending setback to 10-0 Reedley.

 The extra week off should benefit the Panthers, whose defense was riddled by injuries to a handful of key players.

 Behind quarterback Isaiah Ariolla-Randalle and his school record 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns, the Panthers are averaging 38.5 points a game.

 The freshman leads the state in passing yards per game at 385.8 and is second in touchdowns, while Duante Moore leads the state in receiving yards per game at 121.8.

 Ariolla-Randalle has an abundance of receivers, including Salinas grad Jeff Weimer, who has caught 73 passes for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 Moore has 1,213 receiving yards for the American Golden Coast Conference runner ups, along with nine touchdowns while Mark Lagazo has 33 receptions.

 A ground game that averaged less than two yards a carry against Yuba, has improved with Seaside product Keishawn Robinson having rushed for 546 yards and six touchdowns.

 For the second straight game, the Panthers defense will be dealing with a multi talented quarterback in Derrick Stephens, who has thrown for over 1,400 yards and rushed for 838.

 The 49ers are more of a run first offense, having chalked up nearly 2,500 yards on the ground with Sean Long having rushed for 708 yards and Desmond Samples having scored eight touchdowns.

 As explosive as the Panthers offense has been throughout the course of the season, the defense sets the tone.

 Hartnell's pass rush has created 45 sacks in 10 games, with Alisal alum Alexis Ramos and Chauncey Jackson having a combined 23 sacks.

 The Panthers defense has also produced 19 turnovers, with Trey Smith intercepting five passes and recovering two fumbles. Former Salinas linebacker Drew Schuler has also recovered three fumbles.