Seven Hancock Football Players Earn Spots on 2017 SCFA Scholar-Athlete Team

Seven Allan Hancock College football players earned spots on the 2017 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Scholar-Athlete Team. Linebacker Taupule Asotau, tight end Dominic Chance, wide receiver Nick Kimball, cornerback Lenny Roundtree, Jr., offensive lineman Lesone Smith, fullback Kevin Stark and safety Benjamin Willkomn qualified for the academic awards program. All seven played key roles in 2017 for the Bulldogs, who finished 8-3 overall and won the program's first outright conference title since 1997.

To qualify, student-athletes had to meet three requirements: be an active member of a SCFA football team for two seasons; successfully complete a minimum of 36 units, 27 of which must have been in academic courses; and achieve a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average.

"This is a testament to the hard work of our coaching staff, academic counselor, and most importantly, demonstrates the dedication of our student athletes," said Kim Ensing, Hancock's athletic director and associate dean. "We are a united front when it comes to emphasizing the importance of academics. We all love winning games, and we acknowledge hard work and discipline are characteristics that come from winning. However, their success in the classroom is paramount to them moving forward in life and beyond sports. Many of them already have or will soon see their hard work pay off with scholarships to four-year universities."

Chance, the Pacific League's Offensive Player of the Year, earned an overall 4.0 GPA. He finished 2017 with 10 catches for 168 yards and four touchdowns, as well as blocked up the field to create space for Hancock's running game. The Atascadero High School graduate played linebacker as a freshman for the Bulldogs before moving to tight end as a sophomore. The All-State tight end was named to Hancock's Fall 2017 Dean's List. He transferred earlier this year to Western State Colorado University, where he received a scholarship to play Division II football.

Asotau signed with Western State Colorado earlier this month. The linebacker recorded 28 total tackles, four sacks and forced two fumbles during two injury-plagued seasons with the Bulldogs. Asotau, who plans to major in kinesiology at Western State Colorado, earned a cumulative 3.16 GPA.

Willkomm, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, ranked third on the Bulldogs with 59 total tackles to go with one interception and one forced fumble. Willkomm, an all-conference second team selection in 2017, had a cumulative 3.51 GPA and made the college's Dean's List in fall 2017. He is an administration of justice major.

Kimball led the Bulldogs with 29 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown this season. He also rushed for 32 yards and another score. The recreation major earned a 3.16 cumulative GPA. The two-time all-conference receiver and Nipomo High School graduate ended his Hancock career with 54 catches for 732 yards and five touchdown receptions.

Roundtree earned a 3.09 GPA at Hancock. The sophomore anchored the Hancock secondary in 2017 and finished with 28 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He ended his Hancock career with seven interceptions and 19 pass breakups.

Smith, a two-time all-conference first team selection, anchored the Bulldogs' offensive line in 2017. The all-state lineman provided pass protection and created space for the Bulldogs to average 236.7 rushing yards and 367 total yards per game.

Stark, who owns a 3.20 overall GPA, rushed for 94 yards on 13 carries and caught 12 receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown in 2017. He finished his Hancock career with 28 receptions for 278 yards and 120 rushing yards.

The seven student-athletes on this year's list represent the largest number of Hancock players since 11 Bulldogs qualified for the 2012 SCFA Scholar-Athlete Team.