FOOTBALL DEFEATS MISTAKE-PRONE L.A. PIERCE, 38-20

SANTA MARIA-- The Allan Hancock College football team took advantage of seven turnovers and 10 penalties to mount a lopsided 35-0 lead at the half, then cruised to a 38-20 WSC North Division win over visiting L.A. Pierce.

Hancock (4-3, 2-2 WSC North) scored on interception returns of 55 yards by Rick Aguilar (Fr., Lompoc HS) and 20 yards by Donnell Arrowsmith (So., Paso Robles HS) to put the game away before the break. With three games remaining, the win kept the Bulldogs' hopes of a post-season bowl invitation alive. Pierce fell to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the WSC North.

Behind freshman quarterback Blake Sartini, (Las Vegas, NV), the AHC offense gained 248 total yards in the big first half, including 144 through the air. Freshman wide receiver Curtis Chatmon (Fr., Lompoc)caught three passes for 56 yards. In addition to the big plays on interceptions, AHC capped impressive drives with short touchdown runs by Drew Williams (Fr., Queens, NY), Anthony Melton (Fr., Delano, CA) and Michael Santos (So., Richmond, VA). Placekicker Brian Schneider (So., Santa Ynez HS) completed the scoring with a 33-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Arrowsmith stood out with his interception and touchdown. His jarring tackle on Pierce receiver Blake Butler set up Augilar's big play. Sophomores Trevor Shamblee (Jamaica Queens, NY) and Michael Slaughter (Lompoc) also wreaked havoc on the Pierce offense, along with defensive tackles Lemuel Jackson (Fr., Lancaster, CA) and Marcus Little (Fr., Dayton, OH). In addition to the two interceptions, the Bulldogs sacked Pierce quarterback Thomas Herringshaw five times.

The Bulldogs return to the road next Saturday, with a 7 p.m. start at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys. The game will be broadcast on radio stations KUHL/AM, Santa Maria and KTME/AM, Lompoc, with a pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.