College football: Hartnell to face Redwoods in Grizzly Bowl

SALINAS — The aches and pains have subsided. Instead of limping around in warmups, there was a little more hop in the step of the football players as they went through their final week of practice.

An extra week to prepare isn’t the sole reason Hartnell College players had a little more life in them. But when you’re a roster of 29 players, it certainly doesn’t hurt in the healing process over a 14-week season.

The Panthers are back in a bowl game for the first time since 2017, as they’ll travel to Cal Poly Humbolt to face College of Redwoods at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Grizzly Bowl.

“We studied film on them but didn’t do a lot of physical stuff because we needed to heal up,” Hartnell coach Matt Collins said. “We’ve come back this week with some fire. There isn’t as much moaning and groaning.”

Forced to use several players on both sides of the ball because of the lack of depth, the Panthers overcame long odds to equal their win total from the previous two seasons combined with seven.

“We can only control the controllables,” said two-time all-conference Hartnell linebacker Kasey Mena. “It’s been a fun ride. But it’s not over yet. I’ve created a lot of memories. Let’s get one more.”

Redwoods, which fell to MPC last year in the same bowl game, has caught fire down the stretch, closing the season with five straight wins, averaging 48.2 points a game. Four of those victims, however, were a combined 5-35.

The runner-ups in the American Division to 10-0 Foothill, what does get your attention about the Corsairs is a defense that allowed just 13 points in their final four games and 11.9 on the season.

“Their defense is No. 2 in the state,” said Mena, a Palma product. “Redwoods is a well-rounded team. We just have to go out there and play to the best of our abilities.”

Hartnell linebacker Kasey Mena has reminded his Hartnell teammates going into Saturday's Grizzly Bowl that the job isn't finished. pic.twitter.com/9kFbnBMTru

— John Devine November 29, 2023

Redwood’s defense starts with defensive tackle Tyse Whigham, who has 10 sacks, while Lane Branstetter has six of the team’s 21 interceptions this fall.

“Their defense is aggressive up front,” Collins said. “The secondary is pretty athletic. As a team, they seem to be pretty disciplined. They’ve had a real strong season.”

So have the Panthers, whose defense is anchored by linebackers Mena and Joey Moag, while defensive tackle Nathan Edeza has spent time in the trenches on defense and offense.

A decision by receiver Cade Smith to return to the defensive side of the ball this fall to fill a need has changed his path.

The only player named to the all-conference team as a receiver and defensive back, the former Salinas High standout has a visit scheduled next week for Fresno State as a safety.

“He’s got offers as a result of him playing defense this year,” Collins said. “He comes downhill and hits you. That pops out in watching film of Cade.”

Adam Shaffer connects with Cade Smith at a recent practice for Hartnell pic.twitter.com/fUEJ9ckM94

— John Devine November 29, 2023

Smith led the Panthers in tackles with 71 and shared the conference lead in interceptions with seven, while catching 30 passes for a team-high 487 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

“It’s rare to see someone earn all-conference honors on both sides of the ball,” said Collins, who is six wins away from 100 for his career at Hartnell.

Partly because it’s rare that a college has players seeing time on offense and defense. Hartnell’s thin numbers left them little choice. Nate Ortiz is playing a slot receiver and spending time in the secondary as well.

“He’s been an unsung player,” Collins said. “He can run by people. He runs great routes, returns punts. He’s just a solid guy with the ball in his hands.”

Ortiz caught a team-high 32 passesand intercepted three passes, while Edeza finished with five sacks as a defensive lineman and solidified a position in need as an offensive tackle.

“Nate has been our nasty, physical strong guy on both sides of the ball in the trenches,” Collins said. “With 29 players, depth on the lines has been thin.”

Edeza is part of an offensive line that has created holes all season for tailback Jhymir Pearson, who is 60 yards shy of 1,000. The sophomore has 1,499 multi-purpose yards with 13 touchdowns.

“Jhymir has helped us on kickoffs and has caught a few balls as a slot guy,” Collins said. “He’s done a solid job carrying the ball. He’s been durable and explosive. The extra week was huge for him. This is a big game for him.”

Quarterback Adam Shaffer hopes to exploit some spaces in Redwoods' defense for Hartnell in the Grizzly Bowl pic.twitter.com/6HZFReonvC

— John Devine November 29, 2023

Hartnell will continue rotate quarterbacks Adam Shaffer and Spencer Gorgulho, who have combined to throw for nearly 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns. Shaffer has also rushed for 678 yards and six touchdowns.

“Watching them on film, they have some spaces in their defense that we will try and exploit,” Shaffer said. “They are big up front. We have to be able to run to open up the passing game.”