Despite loss, Hartnell hopeful of bowl bid, MPC completes undefeated conference season – Monterey Herald

Coming into the game as one of the state team leaders in interceptions, Lobo, a football team added three interceptions to increase their tally to 32, with Maurice Mathis returning a pair of pick six’s, including a 96-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Jesus Organista added a 30-yard touchdown run for MPC, while Cameron Brown caught a touchdown pass from Miekael Brooker. Anthony Cortez also had a touchdown pass.
Linebackers Rossi Oteri and Jabari Reynolds both collected sacks for the Lobos, who held Merced out of the end zone in the second half.

SAN JOSE — Hartnell College, having matched its win total from the past two seasons combined, is in strong contention for a bowl game after falling 19-7 to San Jose City last Saturday, leaving them in third place in the conference. The Panthers’ seven overall wins should place them in a bowl game for the first time in five years. According to Hartnell coach Matt Collins, “the belief is we will be in a bowl game. Hopefully the season isn’t over.”

San Jose City, which placed second in the American Golden Coast Conference, was rendered ineligible for a bowl game due to recruiting violations last spring. “I’m disappointed in today’s result,” Collins said. “We had a shot to win this game. You look in the mirror and sometimes you feel like you beat yourselves. It’s not like we’re not in games. I’m proud of how these kids handled this season.”

Hartnell has played most of the season with just 32 players, 30 against the Jaguars. More than a handful of its players are seeing action on both sides of the ball. According to Collins, “with our numbers, it could have been a long year. The character of this football team gave us some hope back in August. It’s unique to be a seven-win team with the roster size we have.”

MPC 3, Folsom Lake 0: Elle Mitchell and Alma Nordmark combined for 34 assists as the Lobos opened the Northern California Regional playoffs with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 win over Folsom Lake. Maggie Tabel compiled eight blocks for MPC, who finished second in the Coast Conference to Hartnell. Salinas grad Brooke Cannon finished with 15 digs, while Logan McPherson collected 12 kills.

Cal Poly Pomona 4, CSUMB 0: The Otters’ first appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament was brief as they fell to 15-1-5 Cal Poly Pomona. CSUMB, who came into the tournament ranked nationally for the first time in school history, finished the season 12-5-2. Three of its losses came from the Mustangs. The Otters found themselves down 4-0 in the first half before Hugo Vargas-Rios scored in the 31st minute of the match.