Football Offense Finds Groove In 42-14 Win Over LASW

The Pasadena City College football team managed to move the ball well on the ground and in the air and scored a season high in points in downing Los Angeles Southwest, 42-14, in a SCFA American Metro League game Saturday night at Robinson Stadium. 

The Lancers remained perfect on their home field at 4-0 and evened their record to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in league play. LA Southwest (0-8, 0-4) had its losing streak extended to 17 games going back to last season. 

PCC totaled 475 yards of offense (276 passing and 199 rushing) as quarterback Jesse Hanckel had a big performance. The freshman completed 13 of 16 passes for 211 yards, including a 37-yard TD throw to wide receiver Yusef Muhammad. Hanckel added a pair of 1-yard QB sneaks for touchdowns. 

After LA Southwest tied it at 7-7 late in the first quarter, the Lancers scored 35 unanswered points in the second and third quarters. Hanckel engineered scoring drives of 86, 81, and 74 yards in the first half. 

Running back James Shaw totaled 119 yards in 19 carries and scored on a 1-yard run in the second period. Amad Andrews 3-yard scoring rush made it 28-7 Lancers by halftime. Reggie Harvey added a 3-yard TD run in the second quarter. 

The defense completely shut down the Cougars rushing game, holding them to a net 1 yard in 17 plays. The team's defensive line impressed thanks to the play of such players as defensive tackles Daeqwan Bailey and Adrian Huerta. Raysean Clayton contributed a 20-yard interception return for the secondary.

Kicker/punter Enrique Lozano continued to show off his powerful right leg. Lozano was 5-for-5 on extra point kicks, booted four touchbacks on kickoffs, and averaged 38.8 yards a punt in four attempts. Muhammad led receivers with five receptions for 81 yards. 

At home this season, PCC has allowed just 62 points or less than 16 per game. 

PCC will travel to face East Los Angeles College next Saturday, Nov. 4 in a 6 p.m. league kickoff. The Lancers, directed by head coach Tom Maher, are looking to clinch the program's first .500 season since 2009 (5-5). 

[Photo--QB Jesse Hanckel ran for two TDs and passed for another in the Lancers win over LA Southwest Saturday night, image by Richard Quinton.]