2002 PREVIEW PREP FOOTBALL: HEADING TOWARD JUST TWO GOALS PALMDALE FOOTBALL WANTS WIN OVER A.V., ELUSIVE GOLDEN LEAGUE TITLE.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

PALMDALE - The game looms large on the very last line of Palmdale High's football schedule for this season. At 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, the Falcons play host to two-time defending champion Antelope Valley in the Golden League's most anticipated game in years.

The past two seasons, each team has entered the matchup with unbeaten league records, and twice Antelope Valley has emerged victorious. Now, with both teams returning their starting quarterbacks and running backs, along with the bulk of their other players, they again expect to battle for the title.

``I knew exactly where they were,'' Palmdale senior running back Sean Edwards said. ``Tenth game of the season. And I can't wait to get the Golden League title.''

When Palmdale won at Antelope Valley in 1997, coach Jeff Williams was so elated, he dropped to his knees to kiss the Antelopes' home field. He might want to do the same if the Falcons can win at their home this year and secure the school's first league title in five years.

Palmdale lost to Antelope Valley 9-3 in 2000 and 24-14 last year. The disappointment from those defeats, however, has become motivation for this season. The Falcons' coaches sport T-shirts emblazoned with this year's slogan - Building Champions - on the back. The meaning is clear.

``Nobody likes to see the same team win it two years in a row,'' senior quarterback Jacob McCravey said. ``I was disappointed, but after that I was like, `Next year we're winning the Golden League.' The third time isn't the charm for A.V. That's the game I'm looking forward to.''

Palmdale also has the makings for a run deep into the playoffs. Despite losing to Antelope Valley last year, the Falcons (9-4) advanced to the Southern Section Division III semifinals. They upset Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the quarterfinals before bowing out to Valencia 13-0 in the next round. It was the school's best finish since 1989.

``We peaked at just the right time last year,'' said Williams, who is entering his 14th season at Palmdale. ``We just hit our stride at the right moment. I think we took some guys by surprise last year. But we were just happy to be there in the semifinals, and I think that was our curse.''

The Falcons advanced to the semifinals despite starting seven sophomores, a fact that bodes well for this season. They have experience and depth at every position, beginning with McCravey, who threw for 1,481 yards and four touchdowns and is the conference's best passer.

In the loss to Valencia, McCravey broke his hand. But he showed no after-effects this summer in leading Palmdale to titles in three of the six passing-league tournaments it entered. Palmdale lost a total of six games in the six tournaments.

Both Edwards and senior LaRon McIntyre return in the backfield. Last year they combined to rush for nearly 1,300 yards and score 19 touchdowns. Junior JaVonte Holmes, the league's fastest player, is in his second season starting at flanker and will attempt to fill the void left by Derek Hagan, who now is playing at Arizona State.

``I think we can win it all this year,'' said Edwards, who also was a first team all-league selection at defensive back. ``We have a lot of returners coming back. We have some outstanding players.''

The Falcons likely will play this season without Danny Burney, Edwards' cousin and the City Section rushing and scoring leader last year at Sylmar. Burney transferred from Sylmar for disciplinary reasons and played with Palmdale for half of its passing-league season.

But Burney has not practiced with the Falcons since they opened camp, and Williams said he has not enrolled at the school. Edwards added he does not expect Burney to be declared eligible to play.

The Falcons open their season at home against Barstow on Sept. 13. Williams is stressing a one-game-at-a-time approach to his players. But when they host Antelope Valley nine weeks later, he expects his team to be ready.

``It is an intense rivalry,'' Williams said. ``I've got a couple of old A.V. guys who coach for me now. But red is not one of my favorite colors.''

PALMDALE

Coach: Jeff Williams (12th year)

2001 Record: 9-4

League finish: Second

Playoffs: Lost to Valencia in the Southern Section Division III semifinals

Key returnees: Jacob McCravey (Sr., QB); Sean Edwards (Sr., RB/DB); LaRon McIntyre (Sr., RB); JaVonte Holmes (Jr., WR); Trent Gunn (Sr., DL); Juan Sanchez (Sr., OL)

2002 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Sept. 13 Barstow 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Kennedy (GH) 7 p.m.

**Sept. 27 vs. Alta Loma 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Upland 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Locke 7 p.m.

*Oct. 18 at Littlerock 7 p.m.

*Oct. 25 Highland 7 p.m.

*Nov. 1 at Lancaster 7 p.m.

*Nov. 8 Quartz Hill 7 p.m.

*Nov. 15 Antelope Valley 7 p.m.

*-Golden League contest

**-at Chaffey College

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Palmdale quarterback Jacob McCravey and the rest of the Falcons have two goals this season: beat Antelope Valley in the season finale and win the Golden League title.

Daily News

Box:

PALMDALE (see text)