Moorpark Win Helps Bowl Bid

Moorpark College kept alive its slim chances of earning a postseason bowl berth with a 41-13 victory over Allan Hancock on Saturday at Santa Maria High.

The Raiders (7-2) concluded Western State Conference play with a 4-2 record. The Bulldogs finished the season 4-5, 3-3.

With victories in its final two games, Moorpark revived its chances of earning an invitation to the Southern California Bowl.

The Raiders never trailed against the Bulldogs. Running backs Mike Daniels and Dana Griffin each scored two touchdowns to lead Moorpark’s offense. Daniels rushed for 165 yards in 21 carries and Griffin gained 110 yards in 30 carries.

Hancock tailback Sheldon Canley, the state’s second-leading rusher coming into the game, gained 105 yards to give him 1,281 for the season.

Leading, 27-7, at halftime, Moorpark surrendered a touchdown in the third quarter before surging back with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Daniels scored both of his touchdowns and rushed for 123 yards in the first half.

Moorpark moved ahead, 7-0, on Griffin’s 22-yard touchdown run with 11:03 remaining in the first quarter. The run capped a 79-yard, nine-play drive.

With the score tied, 7-7, after the first quarter, Daniels scored the first of his two touchdowns on a seven-yard run with 13:46 left in the half.

Daniel Eastman concluded Moorpark’s first-half scoring with his second field goal of the game, a 54-yarder with 1:12 left in the half.

Moorpark linebacker Doug Britton set up the field goal with a fumble recovery near midfield. It was the second Hancock turnover of the half that the Raiders converted into a score.

Daniels scored his second touchdown, a one-yard burst with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter, after a Moorpark fumble recovery. The Raiders moved 50 yards in six plays for the touchdown to go ahead, 21-7.

Eastman’s two field goals gave the Raiders the 27-7 halftime lead.