Football Grinds Out 23-21 Road Win at Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College football team leaned on a lock-down defense, three rushing touchdowns, and timely special teams operations to edge Long Beach City College, 23-21, in a National Northern League battle on Saturday evening. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 3-2 on the season (2-0 NNL) after outscoring the host 10-0 in the third quarter and closing the door late in the fourth. | BOX SCORE

Saturday's victory is just the second program win over Long Beach on record, dating back to when the two programs first met in 1997. The other came in 2022 when Hancock defeated LBCC in a 36-29 decision at home. 

The Vikings struck first on their opening drive, stringing together a 10-play march that ended with a short touchdown pass. Hancock responded quickly, pounding the ball downfield before Torrell Harley capped the drive with a one-yard plunge to knot the score with three minutes remaining in the first. 

Long Beach regained the lead in the second quarter, this time through the air again, converting a third down near midfield before finishing with a red-zone strike for a 14–7 advantage. The Bulldogs mustered an answer just before the intermission with a balanced drive effort that ended with a six-yard scurry by Cash Carter, but a missed PAT attempt left the visitors trailing by one at the break. 

The third quarter belonged to Hancock. Running back Elijah Little broke free on a 20-yard scamper to put the Bulldogs ahead for the first time, 20–14. Later in the frame, kicker Raymond Escobedo converted a 23-yard field goal to extend the margin to 23–14. On the ensuing Long Beach possession, the Vikings had a chance to answer, but Nayshawn Corley surged through the line to block a 23-yard field goal attempt that would have cut into the lead.

Long Beach refused to go away in the fourth. With just under ten minutes remaining, the Vikings connected on a deep touchdown pass—their third passing score of the day—to trim the deficit to 23–21. The Bulldogs' defense, however, slammed the door in the final minutes, forcing a turnover on downs at midfield to preserve the two-point victory.

Bulldog Standouts

• Little — 10 carries, 122 yards (long 48) and the go-ahead TD
• Harley — 13 carries, 56 yards, and a 1-yard TD
• Drake Missamore — Efficient day through the air: 8-for-11, 116 yards, no interceptions
• Elias Martinez — Chain-mover outside with 5 catches for 85 yards (long 40)
• Corley — The closer: 2 interceptions, 1 blocked FG, a forced fumble, and 27 return yards
• Special teams boosts — Dylan Heath totaled 109 KR yards (long 40), and Jordan Orcutt dropped three punts inside the 20 to flip field position

The Bulldogs will break for the bye week before returning to action on Saturday, October 11th, at home against Ventura College. That game, which will also serve as the annual Military Appreciation Game, is scheduled to kick off at 2 PM at the AHC Football Field. 

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