VENTURA - For the second year in a row, the Hancock football team will be in the state playoffs.

The Bulldogs capped a strong regular season with a 28-21 win over the Ventura Pirates on Saturday night. Hancock finishes the regular season 9-1 - its best record since coach Barney Eams guided the Bulldogs to the state championship game in 1999.

Thomas Sua did the most damage on Saturday, rushing for 134 yards on 12 carries to go along with four touchdowns. That put him at 14 TDs for the season. Overall, it was a great performance for the Bulldogs' rushing attack, which gained 314 yards against one of the top rush defenses in the division.

The Bulldogs did, however, suffer a big setback when defensive end Falealii Tausaga went down with an ankle injury. He is out for the season.

The Pirates immediately went on the offensive after that injury for the Bulldogs - which came on the last play of the first half. Hancock led 14-0 at the break. Ventura then scored on its first two possessions of the second half - only to watch Hancock respond both times with scores.

The win clinched at least second place in the Northern Division. Hancock finishes 5-1 in the division.

There is a possibility that the Bulldogs will host a first-round game in the playoffs. They'll have to see how things play out during their bye week next week, when Bakersfield and Canyons face each other.

The Bulldogs entered the game Saturday ranked sixth in Southern California and ninth statewide. Ventura was rated 11th and 16th, respectively.

UC Davis defeats Cal Poly, 23-10DAVIS - Greg Denham completed 21 of 36 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown and Sean Kelley kicked three field goals in UC Davis' victory over Cal Poly.

Mike Morales had 13 tackles and Brad Bispo caught a TD pass in the first quarter for the Aggies (5-4, 2-1 Great West).

Jake Romanelli ran for a 42-yard touchdown for the Mustangs (4-5, 1-2), who are 0-5 on the road this season.

Chris Pinto's field goal put Cal Poly ahead 10-7 at the half, but a pair of Kelley field goals, including a school record-tying 52-yarder, put the Aggies ahead 13-10 in the third quarter.

Lined up in a wildcat formation, backup safety and running back Nick Aprile scored on a 4-yard run to extend UC Davis' lead to 20-10 with 10 minutes remaining. Kelley's third field goal closed out the scoring.

Prep football

Valley Christian Academy 34, Shandon 6

VCA finished off a perfect league run through the Coast Valley League with a rout over Shandon.

Drew Schettler netted 238 rushing yards on 15 carries, with touchdown runs of 52, 29 and 34 yards.

Michael Calderon also scored on a 5-yard run. David Zepeda rounded out the VCA scores with a 28-yard rush in the fourth quarter.

On defense, the Lions' Jay Barbour had 14 tackles, including one that went for a safety.

VCA (7-1-1, 4-0) next tackles the playoffs, and will find out Sunday which opponent it faces next week.

"I'd like to thank my assistant coaches, they did a great job this year," coach Pete Fortier said. "It was a team effort for the league title."

Water polo

Righetti 9, Oaks Christian 5

In a final tune-up before the playoffs, No. 8 Righetti defeated No. 10 Oaks Christian.

The CIF playoffs begin this week, with the first round coming Thursday.

Matt Johnston scored four, while AJ Franklin had two. Kevin Malins and Jeremiah Morales had one apiece.

College women's water polo

Cuesta 19, Santa Monica 12The Cougars (12-20) completed their season with a third-place win over Santa Monica at the Western State Conference tournament, giving coach Pete Schuler his 200th win.

Maggie Evans, a former St. Joseph Knight, scored five goals. Former Cabrillo Conq Ashley Smith also had five.

College men's basketball

Cuesta earns its way into title game

The host Cougars defeated West Hills 68-62 for the right to face College of the Sequoias for the title game at the Cuesta Tournament. That will be played today at 5 p.m.

In other results, Hancock lost to Fullerton City College. No score was provided.