Some comments:  close games in conference with Mendocino and Redwoods, and a major win over DeAnza, helped by a 90 yrd int return and a another 85 yard catch and run for TD --DeAnza had about 10 passes tipped or deflected in the Comets secondary, 6 ints overall, against the top rated QB in the state.

Hartnell is solid, I saw them at Laney, Sac City had dynamic QB Beverly (from Solano?),
and the Foothill game was the season opener --almost entirely new roster playing first game together.

Still, the scoreboard says 8-3, with a bowl game win, and 5-0 conference record in BVAL

Building a program with a huge number of transfers means little or no continuity from season before, no off-season group workouts --this is extremely tough on coaches, especially when you open against 2 NorCal teams --it takes awhile playing together to get teamwork on the field, no matter how talented the individuals.  I think that is the reason for the issue you are bringing up.