Hartnell football

Hartnell (8-3, 4-1)

 If you were looking for an aerial show, the Panthers were a must see last season, shattering school passing records for the third time in the last five years.

 Yet, an electrifying attack, coupled with a sixth bowl appearance in eight years didn't translate to a big turnout this fall.

 Head coach Matt Collins has 38 players on his roster this season, the third straight year he'll have a roster under 50 players.

 "This might be the norm," Collins said. "Young people over time don't know what it means to start something and finish. Kids aren't willing to experience the process. They want instant results."

 Concussions have seen football numbers decline at all levels. Yet, the cost of living in Salinas has cut into Collins' recruiting of out-of-state players.

 Instead, Collins has pounded the pavement with recruiting local kids, building a roster with some of the top prep players in the county.

 "We got just about everyone we went after," said Collins, who has the second most wins in Hartnell school history. "I'll match our personnel with anyone. Our issue is depth."

 Especially in the trenches, where injuries had Hartnell suit up just three healthy offensive linemen at a recent practice.

 "We're thin in trenches on both sides," Collins said. "We'll have to cross train some of our linemen. It is something we've done the last two years."

 If quarterback Isaiah Randalle isn't on colleges wish list, he should be. The 6-foot-3 sophomore lead the state last fall in passing yards per game at 382.2.

 Randalle, who is from Sacramento High, threw for a school record 4,204 yards and 36 touchdowns for Hartnell (8-3), grasping the offense from the start and running with it.

 "He has a knack for finding people," Collins said. "Out of the pocket, he's elusive. When he fires the ball, he finds people."

 Randalle spurned offers from a couple of schools to return for his final year for the Panthers, with an eye on improving his 60 percent completion rating.

 It won't hurt having his favorite target back in Salinas High graduate Jeff Weimer, who caught 78 passes for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall for Hartnell.

 Weimer is a sure-handed receiver that can break free from his defender, using his 6-foot-3 frame to catch passes in traffic.

 "Colleges came in during the off-season to look at him," Collins said. "He's on the radar. He's real polished, runs solid routes and has a strong presence on the field."

 What Weimer may have to be aware of is double teams until the Panthers show they have another target or two that can catches passes.

 Two players emerging as candidates are Soledad graduate Angel Olivas and Gonzales school rushing record holder Payton Flores.

 Olivas caught over 80 passes in his last two seasons at Soledad while Flores caught 45 passes out of the backfield for five touchdowns in his last two years at Gonzales.

 Flores made a name for himself last year by rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns for the Spartans last season.

 "I know he wants to run the ball still," Collins said. "And he will get some carries. Right now he can help us immediately as a receiver."

 Improvement in the running game is an expectation. The Panthers averaged a little over two yards a carry in the first half of the season, nearly four yards in the second half.

 Having Emmanuel Ortega and David Freeman back in the backfield gives Hartnell some balance, as well as receiving targets. Don't be surprised to see DeMarcus Hawkins back there on occasion.

 "I'll do anything for this team," said Hawkins, a pass rushing outside linebacker, who was among the state leaders in sacks last fall before separating his shoulder in Week 6.

 In fact, Hawkins, who rushed for over 1,500 yards as a senior at Seaside in 2017, had one carry last year for Hartnell, bolting 52 yards for a touchdown, only to have it called back because of a penalty.

 "We don't have to be a hurry up offense," Collins said. "In fact I prefer we're not. We need to manage the game a little better, keep our defense off the field."

 It doesn't hurt having 270-pound Soledad graduate David Cruz providing holes for the running game for the Panthers.

 Who joins him in the trenches is open for debate. It's possible Gonzales' Pablo Villasenor and Palma alum Santo DeFranco -- both projected defensive starters -- could platoon on the offensive line.

 "You can't beat your donkeys," Collins said. "But guys in the trenches may have to go both ways. We have gone back to the drawing board to figure things out. We don't have three deep like before."

 Hawkins will not be alone on a defense filled with former prep stars, as he will be joined by Carmel product Robert Brown. The pair are the last two Herald Defensive Players of the Year. 

 Last fall Hawkins recorded 11 sacks in nine full games, playing the last four games with a separated shoulder. Brown compiled 14 sacks and 117 tackles for Carmel.

 "Football is consuming," Hawkins said. "It's a career. You have to dedicate yourself to the sport. I've been grinding in the gym. I want to double my sack total."

 The pass rushing demon has a nose for the football, having recovered two fumbles, returning one 55 yards for a touchdown last season.

 The front seven will include the return of Alisal product Steven Castro and Monte Vista alum Chris Denning, along with Villasenor and DeFranco.

 The return of Drew Schuler at inside linebacker solidifies the linebacking core for Hartnell, whose defense did spend a lot of time on the field last year because of a fast striking offense.

 The secondary has two starters back in the fold in Trey Smith and Jakob Streeter while Alvarez grad Michael Ramirez and King City product Luis Briseno will have impacts as defensive backs.

 "We have to get our guys coached up," Collins said. "Our job as coaches is to prepare them. We've been in this situation before. Injuries are a part of the sport. Hopefully we can minimize them."