AVC PREVIEW: AVC SET FOR POSTSEASON CHARGE MARAUDERS NEED TO WIN FINAL THREE FOOTHILL GAMES TO QUALIFY FOR BOWL BERTH.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

As the season winds down, the Antelope Valley College football team is well aware of what it needs to do to qualify for a bowl game: three victories in its remaining three Foothill Conference games.

At first it appears possible, especially when considering today's opponent is San Bernardino Valley (1-5, 0-4), which is in eighth place out of nine conference teams and has lost five consecutive games by an average of 29 points.

``If we lose a game our season is over,'' quarterback Jerad Romo said. ``This week's game is the most important of our season. Next week will be our most important and so on. We want to finish the season on a good note.''

With so much at stake, it's unlikely Antelope Valley (4-3, 3-2) will overlook the Wolverines, even with a game against Grossmont (8-0, 6-0), ranked third in Southern California, looming next week.

The Marauders close out the season against last-place Desert (1-6, 0-6).

When asked about his team's postseason chances, coach Brent Carder broke out a cliche - ``We have to take it one game a time,'' he said - but that's what the team must do to make it back to a bowl game after a one-year absence.

The Commission On Athletics approved a new playoff system this season in which the five conference winners from Southern California - two each from the Mission and Western State conferences and one from the Foothill - automatically qualify for the postseason, while three other teams can earn at-large bids.

If Antelope Valley isn't offered one of those bids, it still can play in one of two other bowl games not associated with the playoff system. To do so, the Marauders likely would have to be ranked among the top 15 teams in the COA poll. They currently are No. 20.

Antelope Valley doesn't need any added motivation for today's game after losing to Victor Valley in Week 7, squandering an opportunity to move into second place.

``Everyone is still pretty upset about (the Victor Valley game). It was a huge loss,'' said Romo, who along with his teammates had a bye last week and nothing but time to think about what could have been an entirely different season with a victory against the Rams.

``We've come together,'' Romo said. ``Hopefully, that will show in our game.''

Antelope Valley is at its best when Jamar Day is running the ball, which he figures to do plenty against a San Bernardino Valley defense ranked sixth in conference against the run, giving up more than 167 yards per game.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound sophomore rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games before finishing with 93 against Victor Valley. He would have extended the streak had the offense not been penalized twice late in the game.

The Rosamond High graduate is the conference's top rusher with 742 yards and is ninth on the school's all-time rushing list with 1,553 yards. He could move up as high as seventh provided he gains at least 56 yards.

``The offensive line has done the job. I couldn't have done it without them,'' said Day, who needs 258 more yards to become the ninth Marauders player to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season. The last one to accomplish the feat was DeAndra Cobb, who totaled 1,092 yards in 2000.

The Antelope Valley coaching staff normally attempts to establish the running game early on, which often opens up the passing game for Romo. The sophomore left-hander has done well when given time, completing more than 58 percent of his passes, most to his favorite target Jason Smith, who has 24 receptions for 428 yards and three of Romo's five touchdowns passes.

Antelope Valley has its share of playmakers defensively, and that doesn't bode well for San Bernardino Valley, whose offense is the worst in conference, averaging a 208 yards a game.

Cornerback Jerry Williams has four interceptions in six games and has scored once, and safety Richard Newton has two picks, including one for a touchdown.

But for all that has gone right, everything could end up wrong with a loss for San Bernardino Valley, which is eager to play the role of spoiler and prove it can pull off an upset as it did a season ago, beating AVC 50-16 at home.

``The numbers are nice, but we want to go to a bowl game,'' Day said. ``That was our goal and still is.''

--Worthy cause: Jerry Lewis and Jackie Lott of the Antelope Valley physical education department will set up a donation center for San Bernardino residents whose homes were damaged by wildfires this past week.

A cargo van will be parked in the Marauder Stadium parking lot, and those who bring donations will be admitted free to today's game.

Items sought for fire victims include: nonperishable food such as canned goods, peanut butter and instant soups; hygiene products such as shaving cream, eye wash, bar soap and shampoo; new blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and sheets; baby formula and diapers; new clothing, flashlights and batteries.

Used clothing or shoes will not be accepted.

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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``If we lose a game our season is over,'' said Antelope Valley College quarterback Jerad Romo (11), who has completed more than 58 percent of his passes.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer