1952 Hartnell College Football Team

Considered to be the most honored, revered and recognized team of any sport in the Salinas Valley. In 1952 The Panthers went 10-0-1, outscored the opposition 280-72 and became the first team from Northern California to be invited to play in the annual Junior Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. On Dec. 13, 1952 Hartnell squared off against Bacone College of Oklahoma in the Junior Rose Bowl. Trailing 20-14, Hartnell stopped Bacone on the Panthers’ 1-yard-line with 2:11 to play and thus began the heroic drive that created the legend of the 1952 Panthers. Hartnell’s drive appeared to end at the Bacone 16-yard line, but a penalty allowed the Panthers one more play after time expired. Chuck Dillard then hit Tony Teresa with the game-tying touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked. The game ended 20-20, but the legend was just beginning.