ALLRED'S RAREFIED AIR QUARTERBACK OWNS AVC RECORDS BOOK.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Records are made to be broken. But six in one season? How about 14 in two seasons?

Hard to believe, but it is possible if you're Cory Allred, the starting quarterback for the Antelope Valley College football team. In 20 games, the Rosamond High graduate has set the standard at AVC and set several school records in the process.

``I lucked out somehow,'' Allred said.

Luck was involved, yes, but so was skill. Perhaps Allred's most significant achievement is the 2,082 yards passing and 19 touchdown passes he's thrown this season - both single-season school records, of course.

Furthermore, the sophomore is the first player in the school's 55-year history to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season. And his efforts surely helped AVC make a return to the postseason for the first time in four years. The Marauders (7-3) will face host Bakersfield (8-2) today at 1:15 p.m. in the Shrine Potato Bowl.

``Cory is a very good competitor and that hasn't changed in the two years that he's been here,'' AVC coach Brent Carder said. ``He understands the offense and is able to anticipate things well.''

However, it hasn't always been as easy as Allred sometimes made it seem.

At 6-foot, 165 pounds, the right-hander is what some would consider undersized for for his position. And though he threw for a single-season record 1,508 yards as a freshman, he took his fair share of lumps along the way.

``When we came in as freshmen, I didn't expect Cory to be as good as he was or is now,'' tight end Devon Stewart said. ``What I've noticed, and (the team) jokes about it all the time, is that he's the toughest player we have out there. I haven't seen a guy take that many hits in a game, or in a season, and come back the way he has. I respect him. He's a leader.''

Allred has gained a mere five pounds from his initial season at AVC, but he's more mature and thus has avoided most of the brutal contact this time around. He's done so by becoming a student of the game, studying game film, more game film and then, just when he's had enough, he studies some more.

``It gets boring after a while, but by going over the same stuff, I'm able to perfect my game,'' Allred said.

Now, with an understanding of the different blitz packages a team might employ against AVC, knowing where the run-supporting free safeties are and watching the tendencies of the opposing team's linebackers, he's become a more complete leader.

This season's honors include:

--All-Foothill Conference honorable mention.

--Selection to the all-conference player-of-the week list seven times.

--JC Athletic Bureau's national player of the week four times, including three in a row.

Normally, those types of accolades and the fact that he's completing more than 66 percent of his passes would attract attention from college recruiters. However, such isn't the case for Allred.

``As far as the physical things, there hasn't been a big change in him. In some ways, yes, but others, no,'' Carder said. ``Cory has a good head on his shoulders - he's an intelligent young man. I think he'll definitely go on and play at the next level. It all depends on the school that wants his kind of quarterback.''

So, the often underrated quarterback continues to go about his business and doesn't do anything too flashy. He plays within his abilities and coaches say that makes the players around him better.

For Allred, knowledge and humility are keys.

``It's all about preparation. I've learned that you need to keep your eyes open all the time,'' he said. ``I owe a lot to my offensive line, they do a great job. And my receivers, they make good catches. But our goal was to get to a bowl. Now that we're here, we just want to win this game. After that, I'll check out the records.''

Until then, no AVC record is safe.

PASSING GRADE

In two seasons, AVC quarterback Cory Allred has set more than couple of significant school records. Here's a breakdown of his prolific passing career:

Game

--Completions (24) 2001

--Yards gained (397) 2001

--Touchdown passes (4) 2001

Seasons

--Completions (128) 2001*

--Yards gained (2,082) 2001**

--Touchdown passes (19) 2001

--Completion percentage (.660) 2001

Career

--Attempts (430) 2000-2001

--Completions (251) 2000-01

--Yards gained (3,590) 2000-01

--Touchdown passes (31) 2000-01

--Completion percentage (.584) 2000-01

*-Broke own record (123) 2000

**-Broke own record (1,508) 2000

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Among his accomplishments, Cory Allred has passed for 2,082 yards and 19 touchdowns he's this season - both single-season school records.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box: PASSING GRADE (see text)