Panther Football has Six Players Earn All-Conference Honors
The Golden Coast Conference released its All-Conference football teams and six Hartnell football players received awards. Sophomore David Freeman (Joppa, MD) was selected First Team Running Back. Freeman rushed for 1,179 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 417 yards and 3 touchdowns. Freeman led the California Community College Athletic Association in rushing yards per game with 117.9 which includes all the junior colleges in California.
Sophomore David Cruz (Soledad, CA) was named First Team All-Conference Offensive Lineman. Cruz and his offensive line were clearing running lanes for RB David Freeman all season long.
Sophomore duo Drew Schuler (Salinas, CA) and Demarcus Hawkins (Seaside, CA) were named All-Conference First Team Linebackers. Schuler tallied 77 total tackles, 58 solo, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Hawkins tallied 65 total tackles, 47 solo, and 5.5 sacks.
Sophomore Jacob Streeter (Covington, GA) was named First Team All-Conference Defensive Back. He tallied 60 total tackles, 48 solo, and 3 interceptions. Streeter was one of the players who played both ways and on the offensive side of the ball he added 12 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns.
Freshman Robert Brown (Carmel, CA) was named First Team All-Conference Defensive Lineman. He tallied 45 total tackles, 28 solo, three forced fumbles and 13 sacks. Brown's 13 sacks were tied for 3rd in all of CCCAA.
Sophomores Taji Jones-Counts (Columbia, SC) and Trey Smith (Covington, GA) were named Honorable Mention. Jones-Counts as an offensive lineman and Smith as a defensive back.
"Our losses came to teams with winning records, 10-0, 9-1, 9-1, 8-2. We battled with confidence, with pride and learned a lot of life lessons through the course of the year. They gave their best effort regardless of the stats. They persevered, were persistent, just being a finisher and sticking to something you started will define these young men and our season" Head Coach Matt Collins said.