Allan Hancock College offensive lineman Francisco Mendez, No. 70, earned all-state honors when he was recently named to the All-California first Team Offense for Region III for the 2014 season.
The 6-foot-6, 298-pound tackle was one of 26 athletes voted onto the team from Northern, Central, and Southern Leagues by head coaches. Coaches nominate athletes for consideration for the all-state team and nominees are voted on by members of the California Community College Coaches Association.
“Francisco [Mendez] is the most athletic offensive tackle I have ever coached. He was the glue to our offensive line,” said Kris Dutra, who’s been Hancock’s head coach for 14 seasons. “It was a pleasure to work with him and watch him develop as an athlete and as a person. If he really dedicates himself, he could play in the NFL someday.”
Mendez was also named to the All-National Northern League First Team Offense. The New York native anchored the Bulldogs’ offensive line this fall.
Hancock went 4-6 for the season and 3-3 in the conference, with an average of 225.1 rushing yards and 167.7 passing yards per game. Hancock ended the season ranked No. 17 in the Southern California Regional Coaches Poll
The offensive lineman is a criminal justice major who redshirted during the 2013 season, but during the 2012 campaign, he helped Cameron Artis-Payne and the Hancock offense average of 311 rushing yards per game.
This article appears in Jan 8-15, 2015.
