Late Comeback Falls Short for Moorpark, 27-23

Moorpark College, trailing all night to Hancock, took the lead midway through the fourth quarter on a 73-yard drive, only for the Bulldogs to respond with a long scoring march of their own to pull out a 27-23 victory in a nonconference football game Saturday at Righetti High in Santa Maria.

Moorpark (1-2) was plagued by turnovers, losing the ball six times on four interceptions and two fumbles. Hancock (3-0) capitalized on three of the mistakes for 17 points.

Hancock’s go-ahead score came with 3:26 remaining, sufficient time for the Raiders to counter.

But Carl Richardson, who ran for 243 yards in 21 carries, fumbled on the Hancock 47-yard line after a 33-yard run on the first play following the kickoff. The Bulldogs ran out the clock.

Richardson scored once, capping a 99-yard drive, after Robert Gonzalez intercepted Jeff McCoy’s pass midway through the second quarter. The running back from Rio Mesa High took a pitch from George Jones, ran left, turned the corner and outraced Hancock’s secondary for a 66-yard touchdown.

Shawn Nakamura was successful on three field-goal attempts, connecting from 27, 24 and 42 yards.

Jones completed five of 16 for 86 yards, four interceptions and one touchdown, the go-ahead score to Jim Ange from eight yards.