Six Bulldogs Named to All-State Team, Dutra Named Region IV Coach of the Year

Six Allan Hancock College football players have received all-state recognition, and Kris Dutra has been named Coach of the Year by the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA). Tight end Jerome Afe, offensive linemen Kobe Tuitele and Robert Grice, as well as running backs Ryheem Skinner and Jayden Vargas were named to the Region IV All-California First Team Offense. Defensive lineman Dominic King represented the Bulldogs on the All-California First Team Defense for Region IV. Half of Hancock's all-state continengent, Afe, Tuitele and Vargas, are freshmen.

Dutra was named Region IV's Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs, who finished 10-1 overall, to the Pacific League title and a victory in the American Championship Bowl. Hancock went unbeaten in conference play, winning back-to-back league titles for the first time in 57 years. After 18 seasons, Dutra has guided the Bulldogs to nine postseason bowl appearances and 110 victories, the most career wins by coach in program history.

King, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, was an All-Conference First Team defensive lineman in the fall. He recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, including seven sacks, as well as forced one fumble and broke up two passes for the Bulldogs.

Tuitele, a freshman, and Grice, a sophomore, anchored Hancock's offensive line during the 2018 season. The two offensive linemen contributed to the Hancock offense averaging a state-best 295.8 rushing yards per game, and 40.6 points per game, which ranked No. 8 in the state.

Skinner ranked No. 4 in the state with 1,294 rushing yards and No. 6 in the state with 14 rushing touchdowns. He posted eight games with at least 110 rushing yards, including a season-best 173 yards against West Los Angeles. Skinner scored at least one touchdown in 10 of Hancock's 11 games in 2018. Over two seasons, Skinner rushed for 2,043 total yards and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

Vargas, a former star for St. Joseph High School, ranked second on the Bulldogs sigh 881 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 100 or more yards in five games, including a season-high 143 yards and two scores against L.A. Pierce.

Afe earned all-state recognition as a freshman tight end. He caught two passes for 23 yards, and made countless blocks upfield play after play to free up space for Hancock receivers and running backs.

Hancock tight end Dominic Chance, linebacker Basiru Jobe, and offensive lineman Lesone Smith, all sophomores, earned All-State honors last season.