FOOTBALL RUNS OVER RAIDERS IN BIG CONFERENCE WIN

SANTA MARIA-- Running back Anthony Melton scored two first quarter touchdowns to lead the Allan Hancock College football team to a 28-14 victory over Moorpark, in an important Western State Conference game.

Hancock (7-2, 5-1 WSC North) stayed alive in the Southern California playoff race with a victory that saw AHC put up 250 yards rushing against a team that had allowed an average of 93 yards a game. With the 250 yards, the Bulldogs set a new season record for most yards rushing in a season. The total of 3,068 yards surpassed the old record of 2,947 set in 1995.

AHC scored on their first two possessions of the game. On the game's opening drive Melton, (So., Delano, CA) wearing the number 20 jersey in honor of injured teammate Drew Williams, broke through the line for a 63 yard touchdown run on the third play of the game. After Moorpark answered back on their first possession to tie the game at seven, Melton scored on a four yard run, capping off a nine play, 80 yard drive. There was no scoring in the second quarter and Hancock led, 14-7 at the intermission.

After Moorpark opened the third quarter going three and out, Hancock drove the ball 50 yards on seven plays for a score. Shaun Stewart (Fr., Queens, NY) scored on a one yard dive, to extend the lead to 21-7. Moorpark drove down the field and were about to score when Rick Aguilar (So., Lompoc HS) fell on a fumble on the Hancock one yard line to end the threat. On the first play from the one, Bulldog QB Jonathon Dally passed the ball into the hands of defender Peter Ghilardi who ran in for a touchdown.

Trailing 21-14, Moorpark was able to move the ball into the red zone numerous times, but were unable to score. The Raiders came up empty with two missed field goals, a fumble and a failed fourth down conversion. Dally (Fr., Righetti HS) added an insurance score on a three yard bootleg run with 1:22 left in the game.

Melton ended the night with 115 yards on 18 carries. Stewart added 73 yards with 12 carries. Fullback Andrew Hirsch (Fr., Arroyo Grande HS) rushed the ball eight times for 43 yards and Corey Stollmeyer (Fr., Morro Bay) ran for 24 yards on three carries.

Dalley was five for ten in the air completing two to Derek Sedin (So., Righetti) for 35 yards, and one each to Vaughn Davis (Fr., Queens, NY), Melton and Dominic Catayas (Fr., St. Joseph HS).

AHC will travel to Bakersfield on Saturday, Nov. 12 to take on the Renegades with a chance to advance to the playoffs. Kick-off is at 4:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KUHL 1440 in Santa Maria and KTME 1410, with pre-game at 3:30 p.m.