Pair of Hancock Football Players Score Scholarships to Western Oregon University

They won league and CIF titles together at Nipomo High School and suited up together at Allan Hancock College. Now, quarterback Matt Albright and wide receiver Nick Kimball will continue their college football careers together at Western Oregon University. The Western Oregon Wolves compete at the Division II level and are members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).

Kimball (pictured below) was a two-time all-conference wide receiver for Hancock. In 2017, he led the Bulldogs with 29 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown. The sophomore also rushed for 32 yards and one score. The Nipomo High School graduate ended his Hancock career with 54 receptions for 732 yards and five touchdown catches. Kimball was one of seven Bulldogs to make the Southern California Football Association's 2017 Scholar-Athlete Team.

Albright (pictured below) started at quarterback for Hancock in 2016. He completed 51 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,590 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards and scored three times. Albright set career highs against Santa Ana when he threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns.

Kimball and Albright helped Nipomo football win the school's first CIF title in 2014. The two connected for a 30-yard, game-winning touchdown against Arrowhead Christian in the CIF championship game. For the season, Kimball caught 52 receptions for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns. Albright threw for 3,024 yards and 33 touchdowns.

In 13 seasons as head coach of the Wolves, Arne Ferguson has posted a career record of 78-62. Western Oregon has finished at or above .500 in nine of his 13 season. The Wolves went 3-8 last season. Western Oregon opens the 2018 season at home against Angelo State University on Saturday, September 1.

Kimball is the 14th member of Hancock football's 2017 Pacific League champion team to earn a scholarship with a four-year university. He is also the tenth Bulldog to sign with a Division I or II football program. A few more of his teammates will make their college decisions in the coming weeks.