AVC NOTEBOOK: AVC'S HUNT FOR BOWL BEGINS TODAY.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - When the Antelope Valley College football team plays on the road against Mt. San Jacinto today at 1 p.m. in a Foothill Conference game, the Marauders will see what in many ways is a reflection of themselves across the field.

Both are physical, defensive-oriented teams whose offensive struggles have left them scrambling to remain in contention for a bowl berth halfway into the regular season.

``We're similar teams,'' AVC coach Brent Carder said. ``They're a lot like us in many ways.''

Perhaps the most important similarity is the sense of urgency both teams have going into the conference game where both teams have a 1-2 record.

The Marauders, for their part, are feeling it.

``We know it's a must-win game,'' AVC defensive lineman John Ikahihifo (Highland High) said.

AVC wide receiver Dusten Stowe (Lancaster) said, ``The rest of the games that we have are must-win games.''

Although plagued by injuries to several key players and an illness to starting quarterback Justin Dion that will sideline him for a third consecutive week, AVC (3-2 overall) has somehow managed to put together a winning record in spite of its sputtering offense. The Marauders are averaging just 74.2 rushing yards per game, and are ranked eighth in the nine-team conference in total offense, averaging just 221.2 yards per game.

Mt. San Jacinto (1-4) has had some success throwing the ball, averaging 181.2 passing yards per game, but its running game is nearly as unproductive as AVC's, averaging just 94.6 yards per game.

AVC's ability to defend against the run is its greatest overall strength, with the Marauders averaging just 100.4 rushing yards allowed per game.

Carder believes AVC's ability - or inability - to move the ball against a Mt. San Jacinto defense that is deceptively tough, considering it is averaging 338.8 yards allowed per game, will ultimately decide the game's outcome.

``My biggest concern is being able to put points on the board,'' Carder said.

With Dion out of the mix, the Marauders have revamped their offense to accommodate the more mobile Ron Hamilton (Quartz Hill). Hamilton is expected to start, but will likely share playing time with Michael Woods, who has practiced all week with a knee injury he suffered in last week's 17-14 loss to San Diego Mesa that has left his status as questionable for today's game.

The Marauders will employ an option-style offense designed to take advantage of Hamilton's athleticism.

``With Dion out, we've had to change our emphasis,'' Carder said. ``We expected to throw the ball a lot, but we've evolved from that.''

Although their most recent loss effectively took them out of contention for a state championship bowl series berth, the Marauders remain in contention for one of the three or possibly four nonchampionship series bowl games. They'll probably need to win four of their remaining five regular-season games to qualify for what would be the program's first bowl appearance since 2001, when it played Bakersfield in the Potato Bowl.

``We're talking about winning all five, but we understand that if we win four of the next five, we have a chance to get into a bowl game,'' defensive back Richard Newton (Littlerock) said. ``It would mean a lot because we haven't been to a bowl game since 2001.''

--Notes: Fullback Sean Wallace (Antelope Valley), who has been sidelined since Week 2 with a hairline leg fracture, has been cleared to play today, but will only be used in an emergency, Carder said. ... Newton and tight end DeAndre Day are both questionable with foot injuries. ... Results of Dion's medical tests taken for viral symptoms originally thought to be pneumonia were not known by late Thursday, Carder said. ... AVC hasn't won at Mt. San Jacinto since 1993.

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com