Saturday's game
Hartnell (1-0) at Foothill (1-0), 7 p.m.
You can make the argument that the defensive effort in last week's 28-3 decision over Yuba was one of the best in the Matt Collins era.
After giving up a field goal, the Panthers defense shutout the 49ers to gain a measure of redemption for a bowl game loss nine months earlier.
Drew Schuler led the charge with eight tackles and a pick six, returning it 35 yards as part of a 28-0 run by Hartnell. Mardochee Jean recovered two fumbles while Trey Smith had an interception.
Of course, the concern this week is the status of quarterback Isaiah Randelle, who left the game in the first half with a hyperextended knee.
Randelle, who shattered the Panthers record for passing yards and touchdowns last fall, led the state in passing yards per game. Two of his three completions went for touchdowns before the injury.
Soledad grad Robbie Santa Ana stepped in after a two-year absence from the field and threw for 103 yards and a touchdown.
It didn't seem to matter who was behind center for former Salinas receiver Jeff Weimer, who caught touchdowns from both quarterbacks, finishing with six catches for 122 yards.
David Freeman took some of the pressure off Santa Ana by rushing for 60 yards. Overall, Hartnell averaged less than three yards a carry.
Foothill opened its season with a 27-6 win over Merced, as quarterback Cam Rottler threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
Darius Thomas caught seven passes for over 100 yards for the Owls, while Raj Ward turned three catches into two touchdowns, including a 60-yarder.
Don't sleep on Foothill's ground game as B.J. Boyd rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, averaging 9.7 yards each time he touched the ball.
Hartnell has won two of the last three non-conference meetings with the Owls, including last year's 17-14 decision, in which it scored the last 10 points, including a field goal with 16 seconds left.
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