Hancock Can’t Hold Moorpark

The situation appeared grim for Moorpark College when its leading rusher, Gary Clemons, went out with an ankle injury with the Raiders trailing in the second quarter.

But Moorpark scored 38 consecutive points in the second and third quarters of a 45-21 victory over Hancock Saturday night in a Western State Conference Northern Division game.

The Raiders (6-2, 6-1 in the WSC) used the skills of wide receiver Isaiah Mustafa and Reginald Wilkes, Clemons’ replacement, to come back from the early deficit.

Wilkes put the Raiders ahead to stay, 17-14, on a one-yard touchdown run in the waning moments of the first half. He added a 23-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

Moorpark wound up with 28 points in the quarter, including Mustafa’s touchdown receptions of 48 and five yards on passes from Damian Delfino.

Mustafa had eight catches for 158 yards and Delfino completed 14 of 25 passes for 229 yards.

Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner recorded his 100th victory in 16 seasons at the helm of the Raiders. His record is 100-60-2.

It also strengthened Moorpark’s hopes of winning the division title and securing a postseason bowl berth. The Raiders are 3-0 in division games.

The Raider defense also made life miserable for Hancock quarterback Mark Sitarski, who threw for 162 yards but had three passes intercepted.

Hancock (5-3, 4-3) managed just 74 yards rushing and lost two fumbles.