Modesto Panthers

Coach: Rod Long

Career record: 46-67

Record at school: 46-67

Last year: Modesto (3-7, 2-4) lost seven of its eight and was never in contention for a playoff berth, beating struggling Johansen and Gregori the final two weeks. Four of its losses were by seven points or less, and it beat a Sonora squad that finished 8-4 and made the section quarterfinals.

Last league title: 2009

Last playoff berth: 2010

Staff: Scott Vincent, Troy Long, Ryan Green, Levirt Griffin, Mark Roberts, Deshon Brown, Josh Vincent, Patrick McGarry, Pete Peterson, Dan Westcott, Ken Hindman, Alex Luna, Renee Lindberg

Top returners: C Cesar Arreola (6-0, 270, jr.), G/DL JP Espinoza (5-11 230, jr.), RB/OLB Blake Perez (5-10 180), TE Konner Miller (6-0,195)

Top newcomers: QB Tiki Tonga (6-0, 185, jr.), RB/DB Lesean Collins (5-9, 160, jr.), RGB/DB Lovell Collins (5-9, 160, jr.)

Outlook: Perez had 36 carries for 122 yards and three TDs last fall, and he’ll be busy again this year as the Panthers run behind a line manned by four juniors and a sophomore. … The Panthers finished last season with six juniors and two sophomores on the roster, so there are lot of new faces. … Two starters are back on offense, one on defense.

Key game: Week 11 (Nov. 2) at Johansen. If the Panthers post one upset in the first 10 weeks, they’ll likely enter this game with five wins – and a team with six wins has not missed the playoffs under the new format. A bad field, typical at Johansen late in the season, would likely benefit Modesto.