AVC FOOTBALL HAS A PLAN OF ATTACK MARAUDERS WILL USE THREE QBS.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Special to the Daily News

LANCASTER - Financial advisers say diversity is the most effective way to manage risk. Antelope Valley College's football team is employing a similar strategy.

With three quarterbacks sharing snaps in preseason workouts - all of them expected to see significant playing time - AVC coach Brent Carder is hopeful the Marauders won't be dependent on any single player.

Kyle Jensen (Vasquez High) and Ron Hamilton (Quartz Hill) were among four quarterbacks who played for AVC - the most in Carder's 35 seasons as coach - after the team failed to overcome the loss last year of starter Justin Dion to a season-ending illness.

After a 3-1 start that had AVC ranked nationally, the Marauders lost their last six games.

Carder believes that with Jensen, Hamilton and freshman John Taylor (Paraclete), such a precipitous fall is less likely.

``That's the situation we put our quarterbacks in last year,'' Carder said. ``We pretty much had all our eggs in that one basket, as far as Dion was concerned. What I don't want to have happen is for us to find ourselves depending on somebody who doesn't have experience.''

AVC changed its offense after losing Dion, a traditional pocket passer. Jensen, Hamilton and Taylor give the Marauders three quarterbacks with similar styles. All are mobile, able to throw short, accurate passes, and good decision-makers, Carder said.

``This year we don't have to change the offense when we put a new quarterback in,'' Carder said.

For the system to work, the players have to buy into it.

``We're all willing to share,'' Jensen said. ``We're just trying to help each other out really.''

Said Hamilton: ``We've got to work together, even if that means rotating quarterbacks. That's what great teams do.''

Among the Marauders' greatest strengths is its defensive line, led by sophomore tackle Jon Ikahihifo (Highland).

A freshmen-heavy corps of running backs features Brandon Narcisse (Antelope Valley), who suffered a season-ending broken collarbone early enough in 2003 to maintain his freshman eligibility, and Lancaster products Dominic Cornelius and Donald Green.

Carder acknowledged AVC must improve offensively after being among the Foothill Conference's least-productive teams last season. The Marauders hope to build on experience returning players gained last season.

Carder likes his team's attitude.

``There's been very little loafing in spite of hot weather we've been practicing in,'' Carder said. ``Everyone's working hard conditioning, and our practices have been very positive. Those are good signs.''

Gideon Rubin, [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

From left, Ron Hamilton, Kyle Jensen and John Taylor will share duties as AVC's quarterback. Hamilton and Jensen saw action after starter Justin Dion was lost for the season.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer