Matt Garcia Leads Bulldogs as Hancock Beats West LA 42-23

Allan Hancock College quarterback Matt Garcia threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, receiver Cajon Lakes hauled in 140 yards and a score, and linebacker Richard Goldhammer earned four stops and an interception return for a touchdown in a 42-23 win over West LA. The victory extended the Bulldog's win streak over the Wildcats to six spanning back to 1998 and increased their al-time series lead to 11-8. The Bulldogs bounced back as they improved to a 2-1 record, while the Wildcats fell to 1-3.

After Hancock fumbled the ball on their opening drive, the Bulldogs scored on their next drive off running back Maurice Smith's three-yard run. The run capped an eight-play, 33-yard drive that put the Bulldogs up 6-0. Hancock extended the lead on the ensuing drive following a West LA missed field goal attempt. Garcia completed a 69-yard pass to Lakes, finishing an eight-play, 97-yard drive that put the Bulldogs ahead 12-0 in the second quarter.

West LA punched back with a long play of their own when quarterback Austin Armor hit receiver Justice Powers for a one-play, 75-yard touchdown pass. The score brought the Wildcats within a touchdown of Hancock at 12-7 at the end of the second quarter.

Hancock scored once again after forcing a quick three-and-out with 8:00 left to play in the first half. Running back Terrance Raynor scored the first of two touchdowns with an eight-yard run. The Bulldogs took an 18-7 lead going into halftime.

The Bulldogs received the ball to start the second half. Running back Qualik Davis received the ball at the 13-yard line and picked up 36 yards on the run putting Hancock on their own 49-yard line. The Bulldogs took advantage of the shortened field with a four-play drive that ended with a one-yard Raynor touchdown, his second of the game. Possession of the ball went back-and-forth for most of the third quarter until there were just 25 seconds left. Goldhammer read the opposing quarterback and stepped up for an interception, returning it for a touchdown from 19 yards out. The Bulldogs ended the third quarter with a 32-7 lead.

Hancock kicker Edgar Zacarias opened the fourth quarter by hitting a 32-yard field goal, his first of the season.

West LA showed signs of recovering when running back Devean Randall broke through the Hancock defense for a 53-yard touchdown run. Armor completed a pass to Powers to convert the two-point attempt cutting the lead to 35-15.

After having two long touchdown runs called back by penalties, running back Desmond Newkirk ran it in from one-yard out to finish the 75-yard drive. Zacarias made the extra point to put the Bulldogs back up 42-15.

West LA scored again late in the fourth and converted the two-point try to end the game 42-23.

The Bulldogs finished with 436 yards of total offense. Garcia finished the game 7-8 with 177 yards and a touchdown. Lakes earned 140 yards receiving on five receptions and now leads the receiving core with 241 yards this season. Running back DJ Whitmill led the Bulldogs on the ground with 82 yards and leads running backs with 266 yards this season. Seth Matthysse and EJ Barrera stepped up on defense, leading the team with six tackles each. Matthysse currently leads the team with 24 tackles.

The Bulldogs will return to Santa Maria on Saturday, Oct. 5, for Youth Football Day, where they will take on the undefeated Citrus College. Citrus will look to maintain their winning streak and get revenge for the close 21-28 loss to Hancock last season. Hancock leads the all-time series against Citrus 5-1.