Hancock Dominates Historic Home Opener 67-21 Over Santa Ana

The Allan Hancock College football team opened Saturday with an emphatic statement in the program's first on-campus game, with a 67-21 win over visiting Santa Ana College in front of a standing room-only crowd. Dy'Kari Hickey caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, Malik Williams scored on a 76-yard punt return and a three-yard pass from quarterback Curry Parham, DaMarion King returned an interception 31 yards, and then Arroyo Grande High School graduate Elijah Holt returned a punt 70 yards for a score as the Bulldogs dominated the game from nearly beginning to end.

The Bulldogs improved to 1-0 on the season and evened the all-time series against the Dons 1-1 in the first on-campus home football game in the college's 61-year old history. The 67 points mark the third most points scored in a single-season in program history and the most since the Bulldogs put up 81 against Santa Monica in 2005.

Parham threw for 106 yards and two touchdowns on seven for 16 pass attempts. Matt Albright, a freshman from Nipomo High School, threw for 82 yards on 10 for 16 passing.

Jericho Worrell rushed for 45 yards on 20 attempts, while Justin Banks ran for 35 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Bakari Davis scored once and ran for seven yards. Hancock finished with 91 yards on the ground and 187 yards passing.

The Bulldogs also accumulated 363 yards on return, including 181 yards on five punt returns. Holt and Williams returned punts for scores.

Hancock's defense recorded three interceptions, as Holt, King, and Kenneth Vigil picked off passes. King returned his for a 31-yard pick six. 

King, Gregory Artis-Payne, and Kevon Perry led the Bulldogs with eight tackles apiece. Perry finished with 3.5 tackles for lost yardage. King also recovered two fumbles and broke up one pass to lead the Hancock defense. Rafael Arellano, a sophomore from Lompoc High School, finished with seven tackles and recovered one fumble, while Josh Hawes added two tackles for loss.

Hancock forced seven turnovers, four on fumbles and three on picks.

Santa Ana scored the first touchdown of the game before Hancock went on a 37-0 run to take a 37-14 lead into halftime. Both teams scored seven points in the third quarter before the Bulldogs outscored the Dons 23-0 in the fourth quarter.

Hancock took the lead for good 9-7 late in the first quarter when Parham connected with Hickey for a 29-yard score with 4:18 to play. Williams returned a punt for a score less than two minutes later to give the Bulldogs a 16-7 advantage.

The Bulldogs play at Santa Barbara City College next Saturday. Sept. 12, at 1 p.m.