Growing pains were expected for a program with more than 40 freshmen getting thrown into the fire against two of the state’s elite teams.

What first-year Hartnell College coach Ruben Lerma could not have envisioned was losing his most valuable asset and one of the top players in the conference in quarterback Adam Shaffer — likely out for the season with a lower-body injury.

The Panthers (0-2) hope to regroup as they face Los Medanos of Pittsburg at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rabobank Stadium, Salinas.

Shaffer compiled over 180 yards in total offense in less than a half with three touchdowns before suffering an injury that had him on crutches the remainder of the game in the Panthers season-opening setback at Redwoods.

In the six quarters that have ensued in his absence, Hartnell has manufactured 253 offensive yards, while being outscored 80-12 in an 0-2 start.

In the Panthers’ defense, they have faced a program coming off a 9-2 season in Redwoods, and a De Anza squad that has reversed course, jumping out to a 3-0 start, outscoring its opponents 135-30.

Los Medanos (2-1) bounced back from a loss to Monterey Peninsula College with a 27-24 win at Merced last week. Quarterback Garrett Deatherage threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns, both to Marcus Singleton, who had 105 receiving yards.

The Mustangs were balanced last week, as Jordan Barbadillo rushed for 119 yards, while a ball-hawking defense induced four turnovers.

A thorn in Hartnell’s side has been the third quarter, where it has been outscored 35-0. If the emphasis is going to turn to running the ball, it has to improve upon its 2.7 yards a carry last week. Opponents are going to start stacking nine in the box.

Understanding they will have to play the season without Shaffer is a mental block the Panthers have to get past. Soledad graduate Dominic Chavez took snaps last week for the first time in two years, along with Carlos Galvez.

An all-conference defensive back last fall at Cabrillo, Chavez has spent most of this season as a receiver. During his junior season at Soledad, he broke the school’s single-season passing record.Former North Salinas tailback Justin Pascone has earned every yard he’s gotten through two games, with 135 yards. Protection up front will help the confidence of whoever is behind center.

The Panthers’ defense has spent a lot of time on the field over their first two games, having given up eight touchdowns through the air. They’re still looking for their first turnover. Last week Los Medanos turned the ball over four times.

Defensive back Jonathan Gray is coming off a nine-tackle effort with two pass breakups for Hartnell, while Elijah Perkins finished with six tackles and pass breakup.