Hancock Football Runs Over Antelope Valley 38-17

Jajuan Lankford rushed for a career-high 171 yards, and quarterback Matt Albright threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score as the Allan Hancock College football team handled visiting Antelope Valley 38-17 on Saturday afternoon. Hancock improved to 2-2 in Pacific Division play and 4-5 overall. The Marauders, who were ranked sixth in the division, dropped to 2-2 in conference and 5-4 on the season. It was the two teams' first meeting since 1986.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening drive on a 25-yard field goal by kicker Maisen Baro. The mid-season addition converted the team's first field goal since the third game of the season. After Antelope Valley tied it with a field goal of its own, the Bulldogs took the lead for good in the second quarter. Albright connected with sophomore receiver Chris Barganier who caught it on the sideline and ran it in from about five yards out for a 19-yard touchdown. Barganier's sixth touchdown of the season came with 7:11 to play in the second quarter and capped a 12-play, 87-yard drive.

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the final minute of the first half when Albright rolled right and then threw left to a wide-open Alex Cecchi who scored on a four-yard play. Hancock carried a 17-3 lead into halftime.

AVC scored late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10. Hancock responded on its next possession driving 47 yards, the final yard came on a quarterback sneak from Albright that gave Hancock a 24-10 lead with 10:32 to play. The Bulldogs stuck with the ground game the rest of the way. Lankford enjoyed a breakout game and scored on a 10-yard run about halfway through the final period to give Hancock a commanding 31-10 advantage. AVC scored on an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Shepherd to Jordan Wayne, but Hancock added another rushing touchdown to seal the victory. Tobias Watkins ran it in from six yards out with two minutes to play to make it a 38-17 game.

Hancock finished with 449 yards of total offense, 272 of those came on the ground. Antelope Valley had 334 yards of offense, 268 came through the air.

Lankford carried the ball 23 times for 171 yards, the second most by a Bulldog this season. Alex Cecchi had 20 carries for 61 yards. Albright had 19 yards rushing, including a one-yard touchdown, and a key 13-yard gain to extend another drive.

Albright completed 12 of his 23 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Kimball led the Bulldogs with three catches for 82 yards, including a beautiful over the shoulder catch for 45 yards. Barganier had five catches for 59 yards and one score. Kevin Stark added three receptions for 32 yards.

Defensively, Cameo Autry and Jametrius Smith led the Bulldogs with seven tackles each. Freshmen Connor Epley and Osa Omokaro applied pressure to the quarterback all game long. Epley had six stops, including 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. The Santa Ynez High School graduate also had one interception. Lenny Roundtree had six tackles, broke up two passes and intercepted one pass for the third straight game to give him four picks this season.

Shepherd completed 24 of his 51 passes for 268 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions for AVC. He also led the team with 38 rushing yards on 11 carries.

The Bulldogs will close the season on Saturday, November 12, at Citrus College. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m.