Hancock Football Falls 38-19 at East Los Angeles

Freshman wide receiver Nick Kimball scored a 50-yard touchdown to help the Allan Hancock College football team build a 13-0 lead after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs were outscored 31-6 the rest of the way in a 38-19 loss at East Los Angeles College Saturday. Hancock dropped to 0-2 to start the season. The Huskies evened their record at 1-1.

Hancock received the opening kickoff and aided by an 18-yard run by quarterback Matt Albright advanced to the ELAC 45-yard line. A few plays later, Albright connected with Kimball, his former Nipomo High School teammate, for a 50-yard touchdown pass to give Hancock an early 7-0 lead. The 50-yard score capped a nine-play, 84-yard drive.

The Hancock defense forced the Huskies to punt on their first drive, and went on to string together a 13-play, 85-yard drive to close out the first quarter. Tony Saintmelus ended the drive with a five-yard touchdown run to provide the Bulldogs to a 13-0 advantage to start the second quarter. The Huskies answered with a three-yard touchdown run by Shiloh Jordan for East LA's first touchdown of the game and the season. The Bulldogs led 13-7 at halftime.

The game quickly swung to East LA's favor at the start of the third quarter. The Huskies received the kickoff and on the second play from scrimmage scored on an 81-yard run by Dominique Lee to take a 14-13 lead. The Bulldogs fumbled the ensuing kickoff and on the Huskies' first play, quarterback Jonathan Santos hit Shaquille Shelton for a 30-yard touchdown to give ELAC a 21-13 advantage barely 80 seconds into the third quarter. Hancock responded with a five-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Saintmelus broke out for a 64-yard run, and Albright finished the drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak to pull Hancock to within 21-19 after the two-point conversion failed. The Bulldogs opted for an onside kick, and Kimball, who took over kickoff duties midgame after an injury to Jordan Pollard, executed it perfectly. Hancock recovered the onside kick at the East LA 30-yard line. However, the drive ended with an interception.

The Huskies scored on a 20-yard pass late in the third quarter, and tacked on 10 more points in the fourth to seal the victory in the teams' first meeting since 2007.

Overall, Hancock finished with 281 yards of total offense compared to 411 for East LA. The Bulldogs compiled 147 yards rushing to the Huskies' 132 yards.

Albright completed 10 of his 26 pass attempts for 134 yards and one touchdown. The sophomore threw two interceptions. Kevin Stark and Chris Barganier caught three passes each, while Kimball had two catches for 51 yards. Alex Cecchi also had two receptions for 20 yards.

Saintmelus led the Bulldogs with 118 yards rushing on 21 carries and scored once. Jajuan Lankford rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, Cameo Autry led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and broke up one pass. Taupute Asotau, Thomas Leggett and Dominic Chance each finished with six stops. Josh Lauvao recorded one sack for the Bulldogs. Overall, Hancock finished with 12 tackles for loss led by Osa Omokaro, Connor Epley and Lauvao who had two apiece.

The Bulldogs will look to get back on track next Saturday, September 17 at Pasadena City College. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m.