Hancock Football Releases 2018 Schedule, Bulldogs to Defend Title in Realigned League
The Allan Hancock College football team will renew some long-storied rivalries during the 2018 season as it goes for its second straight Pacific League title. Head Coach Kris Dutra will return for his 18th season at the helm of the Bulldogs and start the season with 100 career victories, tied with his mentor Barney Eames for most wins in program history.
Hancock's 10-game schedule includes five non-league games, including the Bulldogs' first meeting with Ventura in three years and first battle with Santa Monica in 12 seasons. Of the 10 teams on their schedule, the Bulldogs will three teams that finished .500 or better last season.
The Bulldogs remain members of the American Division's Pacific League. However, as a result of the Southern California Football Association's two-year realignment, three teams joined the Pacific League and replaced three teams that were moved to different leagues. Gone from the league are Citrus, L.A. Valley and Antelope Valley, while Pasadena City, L.A. Harbor and Santa Monica are now part of the Pacific League.
Hancock opens the 2018 season on the road Saturday, September 8, at L.A. Valley. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs crushed the Monarchs last season 46-7, holding a 364 to -13 advantage in rushing yards. L.A. Valley went 5-5 overall last season and 1-4 in the Pacific League. The Monarchs moved from the Pacific League to the Metro League this year. Hancock leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1982, 8-5.
The Bulldogs host Ventura at Hancock Field for their home opener at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 15. The two teams will meet for the 37th time, but first since 2015. By virtue of winning their last six meetings, Ventura leads the all-time series that dates back to 1972 by a 19-17 advantage. Last season, the Pirates went 8-3 overall, winning the National Division's Northern League and advancing to the SCFA Semifinals.
The Bulldogs welcome West L.A. on Saturday, September 22, for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Wildcats are coming off a 3-7 season that included a fourth-place finish in the Metro League. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2007 and 18th since the series began in 1972. Hancock has won nine of the 17 previous meetings.
Hancock travels to Citrus on Saturday, September 29, for a 1p.m. game. The Bulldogs edged the Owls 29-24 last season to clinch the program's first outright league title in 20 years. Citrus finished the year 3-7 overall and 2-3 in league. Their rivalry dates back to 1956, and Hancock holds a 4-1 edge in the series.
The following week, Antelope Valley visits Hancock for the Bulldogs' final non-conference game on October 6, at 2 p.m. Hancock defeated AVC last season on the road 21-7 to take a 5-2 lead in the all-time series that dates back to 1965. The Marauders finished 5-5 overall last year and 3-2 in the Pacific League. Antelope Valley and Citrus will compete in the Mountain League in 2018.
The Bulldogs open Pacific League play with two road games against new league members. At 4 p.m. on October 13, Hancock plays at Pasadena City College. Last year, the Bulldogs defeated the Lancers 37-26 to take a 7-3 advantage in the series. PCC finished 5-5 last season and 4-2 in the Metro League. The following week, Hancock will play at 4 p.m. at Santa Monica. The two teams will play for the 14th time, but the first since 2006. The Bulldogs hold a 9-4 edge in the series that dates back to 1984. Santa Monica went 1-9 competing at the National Division last year before the Corsairs moved to the American Division's Pacific League in the offseason.
Hancock returns home to host rival Santa Barbara City College on Saturday, October 27. Kickoff at Hancock Football Field will by at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs dominated the Vaqueros last season 31-3 and hold a 32-24-1 edge in the all-time series that dates back to 1956. Santa Barbara is coming off a 4-6 season and fifth-place finish in the Pacific League.
The Bulldogs travel to L.A. Pierce on Saturday, November 3, for a 4 p.m. game. Hancock defeated Pierce 44-34 last year for its 17th straight win over the Brahmas. Hancock leads the all-time series 17-1.
The Bulldogs close the season at home November 10, at 1 p.m. against L.A. Harbor. The Seahawks went 2-8 last season and 0-5 in the National Division's Central League. Hancock last played Harbor in 2013 and holds a 7-2 edge in the series.
2018 ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Sat., Sept. 8 @ LA Valley 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 15 VENTURA 2 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 22 WEST LOS ANGELES 2 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 29 @ Citrus 1 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 6 ANTELOPE VALLEY 2 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 13 @ Pasadena * 4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 20 @ Santa Monica * 4 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 27 SANTA BARBARA * 2 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 3 @ L.A. Pierce * 4 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 10 L.A. HARBOR * 1 p.m.
* Pacific League game Bold - Home Game