Former Bulldogs Represented Hancock Football Well at Next Level in 2016

Former Allan Hancock College football players continue to embody the college slogan, "Start here. Go Anywhere." Nearly 10 former Bulldogs continued their football careers at the next level during the 2016 season. Three played in Football Bowl Subdivision Bowl Games. Three others played on teams that qualified for the postseason at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) levels. One even played in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. Another, Cameron Artis-Payne, completed his second season in the National Football League (NFL) with the Carolina Panthers.

Here is a recap of the 2016 seasons of former Bulldogs representing Hancock at the next level.

Cameron Artis-Payne (Played at AHC in 2011-12) Artis-Payne completed his second season in the National Football League with the Carolina Panthers. The running back played in three games and rushed for 144 yards on 36 carries. He scored two touchdowns, both of which came against Tampa Bay. Artis-Payne also caught one pass for 11 yards. In two seasons, the former Bulldog has 327 career rushing yards on 81 carries and three touchdowns, along with six receptions for 69 yards. The Panthers finished the 2016-17 season 6-10.

Emose Haukoulua (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Haukoulua recorded three total tackles, including one for lost yardage, in three games for McPherson College in Kansas. McPherson finished the year 1-10. The Bulldogs compete at the NAIA level in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Dy'Kari Hickey (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Hickey played in two games for Tennessee Chattanooga. The running back had one carry for 24 yards. The Mocs finished the season 9-4 and ranked No. 10 in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll. The Mocs advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Isaiah Hill (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Hill made three tackles, including one for lost yardage, his junior season at McPherson College in Kansas. McPherson finished the year 1-10. The Bulldogs compete at the NAIA level in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

DaMarion King (Played at AHC in 2014-15): King played in all 14 games this season for Louisiana Tech, including six starts. He finished sixth on the team with 70 total tackles, including one sack. He broke up one pass for the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech ended the season as the Conference USA West Division champions after going 9-5 overall and 6-2 league. It marked the third straight season the Bulldogs had nine wins and ended the year with a bowl victory. The Bulldogs beat Navy 48-45 in the Armed Forces Bowl. King was an All-Conference defensive back at Hancock. He led the Bulldogs in 2015 with 67 tackles, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Ryan Mediano (Played at AHC in 2013-14): Mediano (pictured above), a senior tight end at the University of North Alabama, played in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.  The Lions fell 29-3 to Northwest Missouri in the program's fifth appearance in a national title game. Mediano played in 12 games for the Lions. He had seven catches for 120 yards. He caught a 29-yard touchdown pass against West Florida to help the Lions win the 2016 Gulf South Conference championship. The St. Joseph High School graduate played in 12 games his junior season at UNA. He caught two passes for 27 yards.

Curry Parham (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Parham (pictured above) enjoyed a solid junior season for Tabor College. The St. Joseph High School graduate helped the Blue Jays win the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and finish 8-3 overall. Tabor finished the year ranked No. 12 in NAIA's Division I and qualified for the NAIA Football Playoffs. Parham started 11 games at quarterback for the Blue Jays. He completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,711 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Parham's biggest game was during a 42-14 win over Southwestern when he threw for 248 yards and four touchdown passes. He also rushed for 31 yards and one score. Parham's pass efficiency of 167.00 ranked eighth in the NAIA. Parham received All-Conference honorable mention.

Kevon Perry (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Perry (pictured above in #90) finished with 22 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks and six for lost yardage, for Louisiana Lafayette. The defensive lineman also forced one fumble and deflected two passes for the Ragin' Cajuns. Louisiana Lafayette went 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference and 6-7 overall. The Ragin' Cajuns fell 28-21 to Southern Mississippi in the New Orleans Bowl. Perry was an All-Conference lineman at Hancock.

Josh Thornton (Played at AHC in 2012-13): Thornton played in all 11 games his senior season at defensive back for Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds finished 6-5 overall and 5-3 in Big Sky Conference action. Thornton finished sixth on the team with 38 total tackles. He broke up eight passes and had three interceptions. He had 32 tackles and two interceptions his junior season at Southern Utah.

Malik Williams (Played at AHC in 2015): Williams finished his first season at Louisville with 145 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 315 yards for the Cardinals. He rushed for a career-high 54 yards on just two carries against Marshall. His scored his first touchdown on a two-yard touchdown run against Wake Forest. Williams also blocked a punt for the Cardinals. Louisville finished the season 9-4 overall and ranked No. 21 in the nation. The Cardinals lost 29-9 to No. 13 LSU in the Citrus Bowl. 

Jericho Worrell (Played at AHC in 2014-15): Worrell played in eight games for Texas State, a Football Bowl Subdivision-level program. He finished with 17 yards rushing on 12 carries. His longest run was a seven-yard gain. Worrell also had three catches for 11 yards.