A.V. COACHES SPRING INTO ACTION : LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAMS OFF TO FRESH START AS PRACTICE BEGINS FOR FALL.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

Spring football, in the eyes of Antelope Valley coaches, is a time to see who is committed to the program, to get first looks at any transfer students, to teach fundamentals and present basic offensive and defensive sets and plays.

It also is a time for optimism, for, as Littlerock coach Jim Bauer said, ``We're undefeated and we have no ties yet.''

A look at the area teams:

Antelope Valley: The Antelopes, who advanced to the Division II title game for the second consecutive season in 1995, are experimenting with safety Tony Walker as an option quarterback.

But they also have Justin and Eric Mobley, transfers from Division X champion Antelope Valley Christian, to bolster the offense. Justin played quarterback, and Eric was a tailback.

``We'll let some guys compete and see what happens,'' coach Brent Newcomb said.

Defensively, Newcomb said he has a nucleus of solid returners. Besides Walker, the line-backing corps of Gary Hardy, Aaron Yost, Charles Pierce and Ken Thomas appear strong. Hardy was second last year with 118 tackles, and Yost is converting from defensive end. Still, this group contains what Newcomb calls ``a nucleus.''

Highland: Coach Lin Parker isn't sure if incoming junior Camy Smith will win the starting quarterback spot. So he's also working with Marcus Prevost there.

Prevost was an all-league free safety as a sophomore and a junior, and Parker considers him the team's best athlete. He points to Walker at A.V. and asks, ``Why not here?''

Brandon McElvaine, who will be a sophomore, has been promoted to varsity after rushing for 1,600 yards and returning nine kicks for touchdowns as a freshman. Incoming senior Barron Gardner, who injured his knee in the first quarter of the first game last year, is healthy and ready to be a force at the defensive end. And linebacker Malachi Keddington will be a three-year starter in the fall.

Parker said Keddington would receive more college information if his 40-yard dash time was faster than its current 5.0 seconds.

Littlerock: There's plenty of good news for coach Jim Bauer even though he lost 22 seniors to graduation. He thinks he has found a kicker in soccer player Ken Cea. In Littlerock's history, Bauer can recall one field goal, a couple of years ago against Saugus. It was a chip shot and earned the Lobos a 9-7 victory.

``He may be capable of a 50-yard field goal,'' Bauer declared. ``This kids's got a foot. He's putting kicks into the end zone.''

Also, Devon Rose is moving from cornerback to running back and taking over for Lafayette Bailey. When Bailey was injured two years ago during Golden League play, Rose rushed for 700 yards.

It appears incoming junior Myles Meeden has won the quarterback job. He was the junior varsity quarterback last year.

Bauer said Meeden is an average thrower, an average blocker and an average runner. But he makes up for it with his knowledge of the offense and his leadership in the huddle.

Other returning players looking good to Bauer are offensive lineman Bryant Perez, tight end Dan Marino and strong safety Mike Carger.

Palmdale: For the first time since 1988, the Falcons appear to have depth with 19 incoming seniors. That has coach Jeff Williams smiling, and the team confident it can reach its goal of a playoff berth.

Palmdale has five players who will be three-year varsity players come fall: fullback Jan Brown, receiver-linebacker Malosi Leonard, offensive lineman Drew Bledsoe, linebacker-tight end Pat Opperman and receiver Manny Flores.

The Falcons also got a key transfer: All-Los Angeles City running back Jason Anderson, who was at Monroe High before moving up to Palmdale. Williams said the surprise with Anderson is that he can catch a ball out of the backfield.

The offensive line averages about 270 pounds, with tackle Vinny Sandoval weighing in at 276 and Bledsoe, a center being moved to guard, at 265.

Quarterback Grant Livermont was thought to have a shoulder injury. But an MRI exam revealed no tear in the muscle and no cartilage damage, so Williams is putting his signal-caller through a strengthening program. He will be ready for the season.

Quartz Hill: The competition is fierce for spots on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary, coach John Albee said. But with 60 players participating in spring practice, up from the usual 48 to 50, the competition will be fierce.

A trio of juniors is lining up for offensive line spots: tackle Chris Bishop (6-feet-5, 260 pounds), guard Brian Hiltebran (6-1, 190) and guard Josh Walunga (5-10, 240).

In the secondary, incoming senior Doug Carlton has joined the Rebels. He spent the last two years playing on an Army base in Germany, where his father was stationed. Also, Sheldon Stokes and Don Simmons return.

Jacob Waasdorp, an all-Southern Section offensive lineman, is working out at fullback. Albee said he wants to take advantage of Waasdorp's mobility and speed (he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds despite being 6-1 and 230). If Waasdorp sticks, he'll be blocking for Jeremiah Harris, who's getting much college interest.

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Photo

Photo: (ran in SAC only) Antelope Valley High School footba ll coach Brent Newcomb uses quarterback Tony Walker, center, to make a point in practice.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News