2002 PREVIEW FOOTBALL: A FRESH LOOK FOR MARAUDERS YOUNG AVC HAS HOLES TO FILL.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

As with all junior-college football programs in the country, transition always is a constant at Antelope Valley College, where most players stay for two years to work on skills and grades, then move on to the next level.

``It comes with the territory. It's just a part of the game,'' said AVC coach Brent Carder, referring to the fact he'll be without 19 experienced players from a season ago - the program's best year in recent memory.

AVC lost 21-8 to host Bakersfield in the Potato Bowl last season, the Marauders' first postseason appearance in four years. Furthermore, the team set 33 single-season school records, finishing 7-4.

``We really don't think in terms of replacing individual players,'' Carder said. ``We think in terms of becoming a good football team. There's always a new group coming in. I'm sure we'll have guys like we had last year. We always do.''

It should prove to be a challenge for Carder to replace the leadership provided by quarterback Cory Allred. The Rosamond High graduate, now playing for Division II Tusculum College of Tennessee, set nearly every significant AVC passing record in his two seasons as a starter.

His understudy, Chris Ford, no longer is with the team, leaving plenty of questions unanswered at the one of the most vital positions.

Jerad Romo and Jamar Culver both figure to have opportunities, though Culver might be the more intriguing prospect of the two - having competed with Allred for playing time as a freshman in 2000, Culver understands the offense.

But Romo performed well during spring and summer workouts, catching the attention of the coaching staff and earning himself playing time.

Now, Carder insists there's no clear favorite at this point, and both quarterbacks will play early and often.

But could there be a quarterback controversy in the future?

``Jamar will start. But nothing is scripted. Both (players) know they'll play,'' Carder said. ``I hope it works well. If I didn't think it was going to work well, we'd be doing something else.

``In many ways they are similar, and that makes it a good situation for us. They're both intelligent young men and very good competitors. They take their responsibilities very seriously. I have no reservations about either one of them being in the game.''

One thing is certain: Whoever throws the ball will have two sure-handed receivers.

At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, James Laurence presents a big target as he did a season ago, when, as a freshman, he had 28 receptions for 367 yards.

After setting several receiving records as a freshman in 2000, Jerome Wright didn't play last season due to injuries he suffered in a preseason shooting incident that claimed the life of teammate Kevin Morris.

While Wright recovered from gunshot wounds to the back and leg, he was a fixture on the AVC sideline, attending every game.

This year, he hopes to once again be a fixture in AVC's offensive game plan.

``It was hard (watching). Real hard,'' Wright, a Highland High graduate, said. ``I'm ready now, though I'm still a little nervous. But I'm anxious to get back out there. I'm anxious for the first game. I'm anxious to get hit.''

Defensively, there are just as many holes to fill for AVC before the season opener Saturday against visiting Reedley.

Two-year starters Junior Masco and Jamie Manor, playing for Tusculum and Eastern Michigan, respectively, will be missed in the defensive backfield. But Raymond Allston seems ready to step in and play after seeing limited time with College of the Canyons last season.

``It looks like he's going to be good solid player,'' Carder said of Allston. ``He has good speed, good instincts and seems to have a good work ethic. Those are the qualities you look for in a good player.''

In all, the Marauders return just eight players from a year ago, making it imperative that the freshmen - all 55 of them - step in and contribute.

Carder remains optimistic.

``We feel that we're going to be a good football team. I hope it happens Saturday,'' he said. ``I don't have a clue how it's going to be because it's the first game for so many guys. But we should improve quite a bit during the season.''

SCHEDULE

Saturday Reedley 5 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Santa Barbara 4 p.m.

*Sept. 28 Desert 7 p.m.

*Oct. 5 at Chaffey 1 p.m.

*Oct. 12 Southwestern 3 p.m.

*Oct. 19 SD Mesa 3 p.m.

*Oct. 26 at Mt. San Jacinto 1 p.m.

*Nov. 2 Victor Valley 3 p.m.

*Nov. 16 at San Bernardino Valley 1 p.m.

*Nov. 23 Grossmont 1 p.m.

*- Foothill Conference game

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Antelope Valley College quarterback Jamar Culver (12) is battling to be the Marauders' starter, along with Jerad Romo.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box:

SCHEDULE (see text)