Hancock Football Looks to Ground Owls in Season Finale Satuday

The Hancock football team enters the final week of the regular season riding high. The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-2) are riding a two-game winning streak and have outscored their last opponents by a combined score of 98-17. The Bulldogs re-entered the regional polls at No. 10 in the Southern California - American Division Poll this week. Hancock will close the season Saturday, Nov. 12, at Citrus College at 4 p.m. Citrus enters the week 1-3 in league and 4-5 overall.

Hancock limited Antelope Valley to 66 rushing yards and enjoyed two 14-0 runs during a 38-17 win. The Bulldogs finished with 449 yards of total offense, including 272 on the ground. Freshman running back Jajuan Lankford (South Pittsburg HS) rushed for a career-high 171 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown. Freshman Alex Cecchi (Arroyo Grande HS) had 61 yards rushing on 20 carries, and a four-yard touchdown catch. Sophomore quarterback Matt Albright (Nipomo HS) completed 12 of his 23 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Kimball (Nipomo HS) caught three passes for 82 yards, and Chris Barganier (St. Joseph HS) had five receptions for 59 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown. Lenny Roundtree (Northwestern HS) and Connor Epley (Santa Ynez HS) each had one interception and six tackles. Cameo Autry (N. Marion HS) and Jametrius Smith (Sheffield HS) led the team with seven tackles apiece.

For the season, Albright has completed 51 percent of his 226 passes for 1,424 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.  Shaq Autry (N. Marion HS) leads the team with 589 yards and five touchdowns, despite missing 3.5 games due to a shoulder injury. Lankford ranks second with 583 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Barganier paces the team's receivers with 29 receptions for 413 yards and six touchdowns. Cecchi has 28 catches and two touchdowns, while Kimball has 25 receptions and four touchdowns. On defense, safety Thomas Leggett (Navarre HS) leads the squad with 46 tackles to go with two interceptions. Roundtree leads the team with four picks. Freshman Osa Omokaro (Hillside HS) leads the team with eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Epley has 8.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and 33 tackles.

Citrus College enters 1-3 in conference and 4-5 overall. The Owls are coming off a 46-44 loss in double-overtime at Santa Barbara, and a 61-27 loss at the hands of undefeated L.A. Valley. Last week, Citrus gained 494 yards of total offense, including 256 yards passing. However, L.A. Valley gained 601 yards, 399 came through the air.  Citrus is averaging 411 yards and 34.9 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Brian Meyette has completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,004 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Freshman running back Devin Floyd leads the team with 938 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Gino Mastandrea leads the team with 28 receptions, 321 yards and four touchdowns.  Defensively, freshman defensive back Henry Pigee leads the team with 65 tackles and two interceptions.