FOOTBALL: MARAUDERS MUST WIN OUT TO GET THEIR HAPPY MEAL.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

The principles involved in organizing the second annual McDonald's Community College Bowl are going to be Antelope Valley College's biggest football fans over the next three Saturdays.

``This man has a 190-pound weight on his back,'' bowl sponsor Fernando Marroquin said as he put his arm on that back, the one belonging to Marauders head coach Brent Carder.

The Dec. 5 game at Marauder Stadium would like nothing more than to invite the hometown school. But at 3-4, AVC must win out in its final three games to guarantee a bowl berth.

Carder, who guided his 1997 AVC team into the inaugural McDonald's Bowl, made it clear where he wants to be on Dec. 5, speaking at a bowl news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

``I told last year's team exactly what I said to this year's,'' Carder said. ``We don't want to have to pay (for a ticket) to get into that bowl game.''

Ticket sales would be helped immensely with the Marauders as one of the participants. Last season's game, played between AVC and Santa Ana in miserable weather conditions, was among the most attended of the 15 community college bowl games played at campus sites.

``We received great feedback from Santa Ana College (a 31-20 winner over the Marauders in McDonald's Bowl I) about how well we ran our bowl,'' said Mike Keenan, AVC's vice president of student services. ``We've heard from other colleges that have been in touch with us about this year's game.''

Carder-coached AVC teams have appeared in seven bowls in the last 11 years and rated the McDonald's Bowl as the most gratifying, particularly off the field.

``It's not just because it was here. It was just a very special experience. The best bowl experience we had was right here,'' Carder said.

That statement brought a proud smile to both Marroquin and wife Fran, who own and operate a number of McDonald's restaurants in the Antelope Valley.

``It's very important for us to give something to our students,'' said Hernando, whose bowl donated $5,000 each to both Palmdale and Lancaster schools last year. Proceeds from the 1998 bowl benefit the AVC Foundation and the school's scholarship fund.

``Antelope Valley College provides tremendous opportunities for our students. It's important for us to raise money for scholarships . . . and open the door as wide as we can to the college,'' he said. ``We have 350,000 residents in the Antelope Valley and we want to attract more students to AVC.''

Tickets are priced at $6 for adults and $3 for children. For information call 722-6543.

McDONALD'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOWL

When: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

Where: Marauder Stadium.

Last year: Santa Ana defeated AVC 31-20.

Ticket information: $6 for adults and $3 for children. Available at local McDonald's restaurants and through AVC. For information call 722-6543.

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: McDONALD'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOWL (See text)