Hancock Football Falls at Bakersfield in Extreme Heat

BAKERSFIELD -- Besides the 102 degree temperature at kickoff, the home team Bakersfield Renegades came out hot in the first half jumping  to a 21-0 lead at the half and handed the Hancock Bulldogs a 21-6 defeat Saturday night in the season opener. 

Hancock Head Coach Kris Dutra didn't make any adjustments for his defense at halftime. "The kids just got better." The Renegades were held to only 65 yards of offense in the second half finishing with 320 total yards. 

The Renegades struck first at the 4:10 mark in the first quarter with a 52 yard pass from Cesar De Leon to Cam Robertson. Bakersfield then took advantage of an interception by Hancock quarterback Jimmy Kelleher by going on a 7 play, 95 yards touchdown drive capped off by a 2 yard rush by Brandon Jones. A second turnover off of a muffed punt set the Renegades up at the Hancock 8 yard-line. Brandon Jones complete a pass to Jakell Tomlin for their final score of the game with 55 seconds left in the first half. 

The Bulldogs came out strong in the third quarter. Domanic Chapa intercepted a pass from Jones. Bulldogs then went on a very Hancock-like drive going 78 yards on 13 plays, including 11 rushes, to get on the scoreboard.  Damon Whitmill, Jr. scored from 1 yard out to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. 

Ryheem Skinner led the Bulldogs with 50 yards on 16 carries. Whitmill followed that up with 33 yards of his own off 8 attempts.

 Oso Omokaro let the defense with 9 tackles, including 3 tackles for a loss, and a sack. 

The Bulldogs look to bounce back in their home opener on September 9th as they take on East Los Angeles at 2pm. 

"I'm not concerned," said Dutra "This team is going to do very well this year."