Behind trio of running backs, Hancock football ready to rock

Posted: Aug 15, 2012 6:30 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Aug 15, 2012 10:56 PM

Hancock football reloads, ready to make playoff run in 2012

After a state bowl berth last year, the Allan Hancock College football team is hungry for more in 2012. The Bulldogs are a freshman heavy team in 2012 after going 7-4 last season and reaching as high as #9 in the state poll.

Kris Dutra returns for his 13th season as head coach. He says this will be an exciting team to watch this season, which is why he and his coaching staff are pushing players more than ever in camp. "I think when you get a little more depth and talent at spots you need to push them a little harder. I think there's a lot more live repetition we're going to get so practices are a little bit tougher," said Dutra.

Sophomore Brandon Jeffries returns as the starting quarterback. Last season, he earned the starting role midyear and finished with 1,200 passing yards and ranked 10th in the state with a 149.4 passer rating.

The Bulldogs feature a terrific trio of running backs. All-State selection Cameron Artis-Payne is back after ranking 5th in the state last year with 16 rushing touchdowns and 1,195 rushing yards. Chris Barnwell is back after red-shirting in 2011. "It feels great. I'm in the best shape of my life. My offensive line, oh my god, phenomenal. Those guys are beasts, they are animals and they're fired up and they get me fired up. I'm looking forward to big things this year," said Barnwell, who earned First-Team All-Conference honors in 2010.

Dutra also expects big things from Lompoc High graduate Marcell Blow.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are getting a boost with the return of Jamen Kealoha-Albarado. The 6-2, 222 linebacker earned All-Conference honors in 2010 before missing last season. "We have a really big D-line. That helps us. And we've got some good scrappy corners, so hopefully we'll be good this season," said Kealoha-Albarado, a native of Kauai.

Hancock opens the season Friday, August 31 at Santa Barbara City College at 7pm.

The Bulldogs host El Camino on Saturday, September 8 in their home opener at 4pm at Righetti High.