Hancock Drops Conference Game at Undefeated L.A. Valley 54-27

Running back Shaq Autry rushed for 100 yards, and Chris Barganier caught a 50-yard touchdown, but the Allan Hancock College football team fell 54-27 at undefeated Los Angeles Valley College on Saturday evening. The Bulldogs fell to 0-2 in American Pacific Division play and 2-5 overall. L.A. Valley improved to 2-0 in conference and 7-0 overall. 

The Bulldogs marched 85 yards on 12 plays on the opening drive of the game and took an early 7-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Albright to Nick Kimball. The Monarchs responded with a 47-yard touchdown strike from Christian Jorgenson to Jeremiah Lorick to tie it 7-7. LA Valley took the lead 14-7 when Willie Washington returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown after Hancock's next possession stalled. The Hancock defense stymied the Monarchs long enough to allow Hancock to score the equalizer midway through the second half. Jajuan Lankford capped a 56-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run to tie it 14-14 with 5:50 to go in the first half.

L.A. Valley outscored Hancock 34-0 over the next 18 minutes to take control of the game 47-14 late in the third quarter. The Bulldogs put an end to the run when Lenny Roundtree intercepted a pass from Jorgenson and ran it back 10 yards for an interception to cut into the deficit at 47-21. 

The Bulldogs' final score game with about five minutes left in the game when Albright connected with Barganier on the first play of their drive. It marked the fifth straight game the sophomore caught an Albright pass for a touchdown.

Hancock finished with 327 total yards of offense, compared to 342 for the Monarchs.  Autry led the ground attack with 100 yards on 10 carries. The sophomore reached the 100-yard mark for the third time in the last four games, and fourth time in his six games played this season. Lankford rushed for 31 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. Kimball ran it four times for 65 yards. The Nipomo High School graduate also caught five passes for 33 yards, including his third touchdown catch of the year. Barganier had three catches for 65 yards, while Alex Cecchi had three receptions for 26 yards. Cecchi, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, also had a 20-yard punt return.

Albright completed 11 of his 25 passes for 124 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions, one of the picks was returned 35 yards for a touchdown.

Cameo Autry and Josh Lauvao had five tackles apiece to lead the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs return home to host Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 29, when Hancock battles L.A. Pierce. Kickoff  at Hancock Football Field will be a 2 p.m.