While one program is looking to resurrect their season and build some momentum into next year, the other is chasing supremacy in this year’s 76th President Cup.

Monterey Peninsula College, owners of five straight wins in the Monterey-Salinas highway rivalry with Hartnell, is the reigning three-time American Golden Coast Conference champion. Yet, the Lobos still trail in the series with Hartnell 41-33-1. The two schools renew their rivalry at 6 p.m. Saturday at MPC.

MPC is 18-1 during its run of dominance in conference play, including nine straight wins for the second time in head coach Ronnie Palmer’s four seasons.

The Lobos (7-0 this season) are fourth in the state in scoring at 40.9 points a game, while Kieryus Boone is second in the state in rushing average at 129.6. The sophomore is 93 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

Boone, who has gone over 100 yards rushing six times this season, faces a Hartnell defense that gave up nearly 400 yards on the ground two weeks ago in a loss to Cabrillo.

Receiver Devin Ellison is tied for second in the state in receiving touchdowns with 11 and is 12th in the state in receiving yards with 606, averaging just under 21 yards a reception. Eric Gibson has thrown for nearly 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Perfection has been tested this fall for the Lobos, who have actually trailed in three games this year, although they have outscored three conference opponents 77-21 in the first half. One of its nonconference wins was an overtime thriller.

Where MPC has asserted itself is in all three phases of the game as the defense has 17 interceptions, with Jaki Thomas returning two picks for touchdowns and Jayden Friedt one.Special teams have been dynamic as well, with Ellison returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, while kickers Joey Fernandez and Isaac Mancera have shown off their strong legs with a handful of field goals and touchbacks on kickoffs.

The Panthers (1-6) have struggled for an offensive identity since losing quarterback Adam Shaffer for the season in the second quarter of their season-opening loss to Redwoods.

While there have been flashes of Hartnell’s potential, particularly with its corps of receivers, it’s been inconsistent throughout the fall as two different quarterbacks have shuffled in and out.

An argument can be made that the Panthers’ record is somewhat misleading. While they were outplayed two weeks ago in a 38-7 loss to Cabrillo, they’ve dropped two games by a touchdown or less and have led in the first half three times this fall.

Elijah Perkins had back-to-back games with two interceptions for Hartnell, including a pair in the win over Yuba. Anchored by Isias Morin, Christopher Phillips and Sebastian Garica, the defense has held three teams to 21 points or less.

Prior to the meltdown against Cabrillo, the Panthers had created 11 turnovers in their previous two games. However, it has just four in their five other games.

By comparison, MPC has created 25 turnovers — three for touchdowns — this year and is plus 13 in turnover ratio — a recipe for success.