Ranked No. 24 in the state and No. 3 in the American Division by the JC Athletic Bureau, Monterey Peninsula College’s football team appears on course to face De Anza — one of three teams still undefeated in the state — in a bowl game, with the winner potentially moving up a division in 2025.

But first the Lobos (8-0) must beat Merced (2-6) in a road game at 1 p.m. Saturday, then defeat visiting Cabrillo in the regular-season finale Nov. 23.

Having gone 19-1 during its run of conference supremacy in the past four years, a win at Merced will clinch no worse than a share of MPCs’ fourth straight American Golden Coast Conference title.

Three times this season the Lobos have produced more than 60 points in a game, moving to fourth in the state in scoring at 44.3 points a contest. They’ve outscored their last two opponents 132-13.

MPC’s Devin Ellison took over the state lead in receiving touchdowns with 14 and is second in the state in average yards per catch at 21.3. The redshirt freshman has 34 catches for 723 yards.

Kieryus Boone is one of two players in the state to go over 1,000 rushing yards, achieving the feat in eight games, averaging 129.9 yards a game. The sophomore has lost just one fumble in 124 attempts.

Quarterback Eric Gibson is coming off a career-high five-touchdown effort, with four of them coming in the first half last week when the Lobos built a 54-0 halftime lead over rival Hartnell. Marina grad Julius Robinson caught his first collegiate touchdown pass.

Ironically, the shutout last week by the Lobos defense was the first since head coach Ronnie Palmer took the reins in 2020. Yet, defense is what has dictated the tempo all season.MPC has recorded 18 interceptions this year and is plus-13 in turnover ratio, with Ryan Sanders getting a pick and Tatum Bentley recovering a fumble last week. Five of Kefa Pereira’s seven tackles against Hartnell were for losses.

Palmer’s emphasis on special teams has been obvious. MPC special teams have produced three touchdowns, with Nakoa Villanueva returning a punt 64 yards last week for six. He also has two kickers that send balls into the end zone for touchbacks.

Having shared the conference title with MPC just two years ago, the Blue Devils are 2-2 after opening the season with four straight losses. Two of their setbacks have been by three points or less.

In last week’s loss to Cabrillo, Merced gave up over 500 yards in offense, including 100-plus rushing yards to two different running backs. Cody Chapman is coming off a 14-tackle effort.

Dating back to last season, the Lobos have won 10 straight games overall. However, they have been forced to come from behind in three road games this year. Merced is 1-3 at home this season.

Hartnell hosts San Jose

It’s gut check time for Hartnell, which was humbled 68-0 last week in the annual Presidents Cup meeting with MPC.

Hartnell has given up 106 points in its past two games to arguably its two biggest rivals in its nearly 80-year history, allowing 400-plus rushing yards in falling 38-7 to Cabrillo.

Saturday the Panthers (1-7) face San Jose City College (6-2) at 1 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.

Last week the Panthers never crossed midfield and managed just one first down over 60 minutes, punting 11 times while finishing with just 35 offensive yards.

The offense hasn’t found an identity all season, as evident by the Panthers throwing the ball 14 times last week as opposed to 47 times the week before.

The Jaguars are coming off a wild 50-48 double overtime win over Coalinga, in which Will Augenstein threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 58 yards and two more scores.

With Hartnell struggling to stop the run, Jesse R. Lajes could have a big day for San Jose, having rushed for over 100 yards four times this season.

While the scores don’t indicate it, the Panthers’ defense has not played that poorly this year. Elijah Perkins has four picks and seven pass breakups, while Isias Morin has 26 tackles in his past three games.

Hartnell’s past two games have not been a true indication of its season. It has actually led in three games this year and has dropped two games by seven points or less. Three of its losses are to teams a combined 22-2, with two of them still undefeated.

Stability on offense for the Panthers starts with getting quarterback Dominic Chavez in his comfort zone, where he has chemistry with former Soledad teammate Victor Ruano. Maximus Castro had 11 catches for 141 yards three weeks ago.