Hancock Defense Leads Team to Victory

The Bulldog defense forced four turnovers and a safety to lead Hancock to a 21-13 victory over East Los Angeles on Saturday. Hancock held the Husky offense to only 161 yards a week after ELAC gained 462 total yards against Citrus. 

Arroyo Grande graduate Ben Willkomm, a sophomore, intercepted a pass in the first quarter to force the first turnover of the game. In the second quarter, freshman Anthony Manahan, graduate of Lompoc High School, had an interception of his own with a one-handed catch on the sideline. 

The Bulldogs also recovered two fumbles forced by sophomore line-backer Basiru Jobe, graduate of Upper Room Christian School (NY). Jobe finished the game with a eight tackles (three for a loss), two sacks for 21 yards, and the two forced fumbles. Sophomore JD Smith, graduate of Sheffield High School (AL), returned one of the fumbles twenty yards for a touchdown. Smith finished the game with 6 solo tackles, one and a half sacks.

 Hancock scored two more points on defense with a safety by St. Joseph High School graduate Kaleb Monette. Monette, a freshman, also recovered a fumble for the Bulldog defense. 

The Bulldog defense set up the balance attack of the Bulldogs offense. Hancock rushed for 183 yards and passed for 181 yards. Kevin Stark, a sophomore out of Chandler, AZ, led all rushers with 49 yards on six carries. Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Kelleher, graduate of Mac Arthur High School in Levittown, NY, completed 14 passes on 27 attempts for 181 yards and a touchdown. 

The Bulldogs move to 1-1 in non-conference play. Hancock will host the Lancers of Pasadena City College on Saturday, September 16th at 2pm.