AVC FOOTBALL 2001 REVIEW: 2001 HIGHLIGHTS: RECORDS, BOWLGAME.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

The 2001 football season was one for the record books.

The Antelope Valley College football team ended its season Saturday with a 21-8 loss to host Bakersfield in the 50th Annual Shrine Potato Bowl.

An experienced AVC team, which had 18 sophomores, set 27 team and individual records while going 7-4, its best season in four years.

``A coaching staff can't expect a team to play any harder than this one did,'' AVC coach Brent Carder said. ``The kids should be very proud of themselves.''

A look at the highlights:

--Quarterback Cory Allred set 14 school records, including all-time completions (266), passing yards (3,764) and touchdowns (32).

--DeVon Stewart set all-time school records for catches (66) and yards receiving (1,184) by a tight end. He's received interest from Utah State.

--Defensive lineman Anthony Diggs had 17 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns - one on an interception return and the other on a fumble recovery.

And that was in one game.

Diggs, a Palmdale High graduate, was named to the JC Athletic Bureau All-American team. He has received interest from Washington State.

Running backs DeAndra Cobb and Jason Anderson have also been contacted by Division I programs, but not Allred.

``I'm going to hit the books and graduate,'' said Allred, who is probably too small at 6-foot, 160 pounds to be a Division I quarterback. ``We had a great season. It was fun.''

All the individual accolades and the team's success are encouraging signs for Carder and his staff. Perhaps more encouraging is the fact that the Marauders return several freshmen, who made impacts this season.

--Outside linebacker Brent Trice was a first-team all-conference selection. The 6-1, 230 pounder from Palmdale High was among the team's top tacklers with 75.

--Running back Vaeontraye Hughes had a team-high 14 touchdowns and was all-conference honorable mention.

--At 6-5, 200 pounds, wide receiver James Laurence was a big and reliable target. His 28 receptions for 367 yards also earned him honorable mention all-conference honors.

--Cornerback DeJuan Ashley was also a all-conference honorable mention after leading the team with 14 pass deflections and two interceptions often going up against an opponent's top receiver.

--Don't forget Wright: Also expected to return next season is wide receiver Jerome Wright, who was shot in his left arm during a preseason altercation and did not play. He set the school's single-season reception mark (44) as a freshman in 2000.

``I'll be back,'' said Wright, a Highland High of Palmdale graduate. ``I'll be back next season.''

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Defensive lineman Anthony Diggs was named All-American and has received interest from Washington State.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer