AVC HAS ROLE MODEL; FULLBACK DAWSON, 28, IS FATHER OF THREE.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

Life without football had traumatized Kenyatta Dawson. Even watching his Long Beach buddies turn NFL superstars on the tube was too much to stomach.

Dawson was doing the right thing, taking care of a family tragedy and raising a family of his own.

The former Wilson High School standout had to drop out of San Jose State and a chance to be a walk-on with the Spartans to care for his ailing father, who would eventually lose his battle with prostate cancer.

Now Dawson's football career is rejuvenated. He is a productive sophomore fullback for an Antelope Valley College team in the thick of the Foothill Conference title chase as the Marauders travel to co-leader San Bernardino Valley for tonight's 7 p.m. game.

Dawson is not your typical Marauder, and it's not because he sports unmistakable dreadlocks.

It's not because he has fully recovered from a blown out right knee injured two years ago.

And it's not because this future sociology professor is married and the proud papa of three children.

What's special about Dawson is explained on page 15 of AVC's media guide. Kenyatta Dubois Dawson was born on Jan. 4, 1969. That makes him 28 years young in a world of teammates who mostly fall into the 18-20 age bracket.

When Dawson was born, Brent Carder, AVC's 27-year head coach, was leading Bonita High School to a 12-1 season and a berth in the CIF finals.

``I don't ever think about his age. It doesn't have anything to do with the game as far as we're concerned,'' Carder said. ``I've had players his age before. Many of them haven't been the positive influence that Kenyatta is.''

Dawson's teammates get more of a kick out of his trademark dreads and his ability to punish opposing defenders, either as a blocker or short-yardage specialist.

``I don't know. He's just like one of the guys. We kind of joke about (his age) sometimes,'' said freshman kicker Matt Horner, almost 10 years Dawson's junior.

``You wouldn't know that he's almost 30, has a wife and three kids. I have to give him credit for what he does. You kind of feel amazed how he gets it done.''

Dawson is less concerned about his age than his ability to make cutbacks, considering that day in 1995 when he tore up his right knee during a one-on-one practice drill.

``I sprained the knee and tore the ACL, but I didn't need surgery,'' said Dawson, who returned last year and rushed for 120 yards, 72 of them coming on one touchdown. ``I was still a step slower the whole season, but I was averaging more than 4 yards a carry like I am this year.''

A more pivotal piece of the offense this season, Dawson has gained 218 yards on 54 carries and scored three touchdowns. He has a knack for gaining tough yards while running the football on multiple snaps.

Carder labeled Dawson `The Finisher' last season.

``I don't know if I like that nickname too much, but my basic role is blocking,'' Dawson said. ``I am having a good year and contributing.''

Offensive coordinator Frank Blua, who coaches AVC's running backs, knew Dawson could contribute but figured his hiatus from football and the knee problem would slow his progress.

``He's been away from the game for so long. He just needed to get the experience to make it back,'' Blua said. ``He's an effective runner for us. He's a big back (6-foot, 235 pounds) and has a very strong upper body. He's a load to bring down.''

Dawson admits he must maintain top physical condition to keep pace with all of those youngsters.

``I did need to work on my speed. I can a run a 4.6 right now,'' Dawson said. ``I'm a very mature person, both physically and mentally.''

Much of his maturity stems from the final days he spent with his father, Billy Harold Dawson, and meeting his wife Rose, whom Kenyatta met through his younger sister Danielle.

With a wife and children to raise, football was no longer an option. Dawson, whose mother Ira Jean died when he was 4, worked mostly in telemarketing through the births of his sons Kenyatta Jr. (now 7), Tafari (5) and daughter Sellassie (4).

``I thought about football every day,'' said Dawson, who watched hometown friends such as Mark Carrier and Leonard Russell advance from college to the professional ranks. ``It became too hard for me to even watch football on TV.''

Which is why Dawson jumped at the opportunity to attend junior college and play football.

``I want to continue to go to school, get my master's and teach,'' Dawson said. ``I also want to keep playing football somewhere.

``I'm in a very blessed situation and have to give thanks to God. I have a very supportive wife who is supporting us and allows me to be a full-time student and athlete.''

Carder said Dawson is a perfect example of the community college experience that permits a Kenyatta Dawson to pursue a dream.

``Chances are he wouldn't have this opportunity if this community college was not available,'' Carder said. ``I always believed he would become a sociology professor at a four-year college campus in the future.''

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Photo

Photo: ``I don't ever think about his age. It doesn't have anything to do with the game as far as we're concerned. I've had players his age before. Many of them haven't been the positive influence that Kenyatta is.

- AVC coach Brent Carder

on Kenyatta Dawson