CONFERENCE TITLE UP FOR GRABS FOR MARAUDER FOOTBALL AND ALLAN HANCOCK

LANCASTER – It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what the game plan will be for Allan Hancock College when it faces the Marauder football team on Saturday night. 

The blueprint is simple and it has worked all season for the Bulldogs, which enter the game with a 6-2 overall record and a 3-0 undefeated conference record. 

They are going to line up and run the ball and continue to run the ball until it is stopped. 

And why wouldn't they. That's their style of play and that's what's got them vying for a conference championship. 

Allan Hancock ranks fourth in the state with a total of 1,950 rushing yards as a team. It trails only Riverside College, Fullerton College and Laney College which hold the first three spots. The Bulldogs average 244 yards per game on the ground. 

They are led by Ryheem Skinner, who nearly averages 100 yards per outing. He has good breakout speed as evidenced by his 90-yard touchdown run earlier this season. 

"They play an old style of football. They line it up and run. They're a quality football team. There's a reason why they're 6-2 overall," AVC head coach Perry Jehlicka said. "They're a tough, physical team with physical players, but I think we have tough, physical kids as well to match." 

Both teams enter the contest undefeated and the winner will claim at the least a share of the conference championship. 

"It should be a very good football game. You have two teams that are playing really well right now," said Jehlicka. "Neither team has to 'hope for this' or 'hope for that'. We both control our own destiny and that's exactly where you want to be. These are the games you want to put yourself in a position for after all the hard work that's put in since January." 

In conference play Allan Hancock has outscored its opponents 121-44, and is coming off a tough 44-34 victory over Pierce College last Saturday. The Bulldogs will enter Saturday night's contest with a three-game winning streak. 

However, AVC's defense could be chomping at the bit. With only one hiccup this season, in a 56-50 loss to College of the Desert, the defense has been one to reckoned with. In three conference victories, no team has been able to run the ball as the Marauders have allowed only 211 yards, an average of 70 yards per game. 

Turan Rush and Robert Robinson have been causing much havoc in the backfield, including last week when both each had 3½ sacks and six tackles. The defense forced a total of six turnovers last week in an easy victory against LA Valley, including a touchdown after a fumble and an interception return for a touchdown. 

"I like where we're at right now. It's just about staying in first place each week. We're both playing our best football," Jehlicka said. "Turan (Rush) and Robert (Robinson) have been tremendous on the ends. It's a really good run offense against a really good run defense." 

AVC quarterback Armani Edden had one of his best games of the season as he passed for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Edden has thrown 16 touchdown passes this season, ranking him No. 12 in the state in touchdown passes. 

Receiver Jordan Wayne got back to the Jordan Wayne of old after finishing with five receptions for 195 yards, which included a 73-yard touchdown reception from Edden. 

AVC enters the contest riding a four-game winning streak including outscoring its opponents 67-27 in its three conference victories. 

The game will be broadcast live at https://youtu.be/EfoZWtZ_rvo at 6pm.