Butler Can’t Do It All and Hancock Wins, 17-7

Dennis Butler intercepted a pass and set up a score with a long punt return, but Valley College failed to keep pace with Hancock, losing 17-7, in a Western State Conference Northern Division game on Saturday night at Valley.

Butler’s 47-yard punt return set up the Monarchs’ score. Tim Starks ran for a five-yard touchdown on the next play to pull Valley to within 10-7 with 8:10 remaining.

However, the Monarchs (1-4, 1-2 in division play) failed to capitalize on a turnover by Hancock (4-1, 2-1) on the ensuing series and the Bulldogs put the game away on Alfredo Concepcion’s one-yard run with 53 seconds left.

Valley played without starting quarterback Tim Wilson, who was suspended from the team for disciplinary reasons earlier in the week.

Dallas Enoch, who began the season as a defensive lineman, alternated snaps with Eric Felton, completing four of 19 passes for 73 yards and one interception. Felton ran for 19 yards and completed two of 10 passes for 22 yards.

Starks finished with 46 yards in seven carries.

The Monarch defense, despite being on the field for most of the game, was able to keep Hancock out of the end zone for most of the game. But the Monarchs countered with little offense and were held to 169 yards and seven first downs, three of which were the result of Hancock penalties.

Andre Nickelson of Hancock ran 23 times for 128 yards, including a 27-yard run for the game’s first score. The Bulldogs finished with 392 yards.