Bulldogs Run Over West LA in 70-20 Victory

Coming off of a heart-breaking loss to Ventura last Saturday, the Hancock College Bulldogs bounced back in a big way routing the West L.A. Wildcats Saturday afternoon,  20 -70.

Bulldogs defense made an early statement forcing a fumble on the Wildcats first drive. Freshman defensive lineman Tyler Valenti from Arroyo Grande High School, recovered the ball at the Hancock 28-yard line.

Bulldogs offense took full advantage of the turnover, driving the ball 5 plays for 72 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 53-yard run by sophomore running back Ryheem Skinner.

After another defensive stand, the Wildcats were forced to punt and the Bulldogs quickly doubled the lead. Sophomore quarter back Thomas Carr completed a 7-yard pass to Alex Cecchi in the Bulldogs end zone to complete the 33-yard drive, bringing the score to 0-14.  

Another forced fumble by West L.A., recovered by sophomore defensive back Domanic Chapa, quickly gave the ball back to the Bulldogs.

It took less than a minute at the start of the 2^nd quarter for the Bulldogs to once again find the end zone. Skinner powered in the ball in from the 2-yard line to finish off the Hancock drive, bringing the score to 0-21.

The Wildcats offense continued to struggle and were forced to punt in just 4 plays.

At the 12:45 mark in the 2nd quarter, Thomas Carr completed a 38-yard bomb to sophomore wide receiver Joe Guzman, from St. Joseph High School. Running back Isaac Bausley finished the drive, rushing the ball 3-yards for the Bulldog touchdown. 

West L.A. avoided the shutout with a 75-yard drive for the touchdown, bringing the score to 7-28.

The Bulldogs quickly responded, pushing the ball down field for a score on their next drive. Freshman running back Jayden Vargas and sophomore Ryheem Skinner both had runs of over 20-yards a piece. The Bulldogs called Vargas' number to complete the drive with a 15-yard rush for the touchdown.

Just before halftime, the Wildcats completed a 40-yard pass for the touchdown, closing the gap to 14-38.

The Bulldogs running attack was relentless. At the start of 2^nd half, 8 rushes by three different Bulldogs backs was capped by a 6-yard rush by Bausley for the touchdown.

The impressive performance by the Bulldogs defense was highlighted when freshman linebacker Angelo Ortiz blocked the Wildcats punt and returned by defensive back Jaquez McWilliams for the touchdown, pushing the lead to 14-49.

After a West L.A. score, Hancock responded with another "ground and pound" drive. Freshman running back Eddie Battle and freshman quarter back Steven Schouten joined Skinner and Vargas to punish the Wildcats with 8 rushes. Battle finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.

Just two plays into the 4^th quarter, the Cougars were forced to punt.

The Bulldogs running game could not be stopped, driving the ball 10 plays down the field for 80-yards and a Guzman touchdown.

With a score of 20-64, the Bulldogs added insult to injury, scoring one more time by a 24-yard rush by freshman running back Qualik Davis. The final score was 20-70.

Saturday's performance was nearly record-breaking. The 70-points comes in second place as the most points in a single game scored by a Bulldogs team (81). And the 498 total rushing yards comes in the second place as the most total rushing yards in a single game, missing the mark by just 24-yards (522). Both records are held by the 2005 Hancock College team. 

The Bulldogs hope to take this momentum on the road as they travel to face Citrus next Saturday, September 29^th.