Football Secures Strawberry Bowl Trophy with Overtime Win Over Moorpark

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College football team topped Moorpark College, 20-17, in overtime to claim the 2022 James H. Cobb Family Strawberry Bowl title. The victory marks the program's third bowl title over the past five seasons with recent titles coming after winning appearances in the Western State Bowl (2019) and the American Bowl (2018). | BOX SCORE

Both teams struggled to find an offensive groove early in the contest and entered halftime scoreless after combining for 10 punts, a turnover on downs, and one failed field goal attempt through the first two quarters. The Bulldogs (6-5) struck early on the opening drive in the third quarter after a 66-yard streak by Latrell Brown ended with a touchdown. Moorpark (6-5) responded on the following possession with a touchdown of their own after completing a 38-yard touchdown pass. The Raiders capitalized on back-to-back fumble recoveries and built a lead late in the frame after connecting a 31-yard toss with a receiver in the end zone.

Hancock's defense stood tall in the opening moments of the final frame and snuffed out a scoring opportunity for the visitors as Vic Garnes blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt. Jaleel Walker evened the playing field on the following drive by hauling in a 65-yard heave from Esekielu Storer for a touchdown. The Raiders began to march down the field on their next possession but a 10-yard sack by Andrew Lauritzen and a four-yard tackle for loss by Sidney Jefferies and Devin Guggia halted the momentum and forced a punt. The Bulldogs built a 13-play drive that spanned 60 yards and ended in a 41-yard field goal attempt by Arath Acosta, putting the home squad ahead by three with under three minutes on the clock. Moorpark managed to build a scoring drive and successfully completed a 22-yard field goal attempt to tie the contest with 20 seconds remaining, eventually leading to the overtime period.

The Bulldogs won the toss and elected to own the ball first in the extra frame. Acosta came through once more and put Hancock ahead with a successful career-long field goal try from 45 yards out. The Raiders' attempt to knot the score on their possession failed after a 44-yard field goal attempt ended up being wide and to the left, handing AHC the overtime victory.

Coach Damron's squad dominated the possession time and ended the day with 414 yards of total offense by registering 189 yards through the air and 225 yards on the ground. Storer closed the contest with a 12-for-24 completion mark after throwing for 189 yards. Brown led the rushing crew with 158 yards on 18 carries while Walker led a trio of receivers with 131 yards on eight catches. Acosta was perfect on the day with a 2-for-2 showing on field goal attempts and a 2-for-2 mark on PATs. He also registered  217 punting yards while placing two kicks inside of the 20. 

Lauritzen led the defensive effort with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks while forcing a loss of 19 total yards. Jefferies and Jordan Fields added to the total with six tackles apiece followed by five each from Garnes, Ben Endemann, and Kamari Lewis-Stallworth. Naizan Seumalo was also credited with 1.5 sacks while Brodee Tucker picked up one. 

Two Bulldogs received individual awards at the conclusion of the event. Lauritzen was tabbed as the game's Most Valuable Player for his defensive effort while Brown was named as the team's Player of the Game. 

Hancock closes the 2022 campaign with an overall record of 6-5 on the season while sharing the National Northern League title after going 3-2 against league foes.