HIGH DESERT GAME OFFERS RECOGNITION.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Doug Faulk's name sounds familiar enough, at least in football circles, and it should. The Desert High receiver is the cousin of NFL great Marshall Faulk.

But even within the remote confines of the High Desert, nobody really knows who Doug Faulk is. Yes, he was a first-team All-Southern Section Division XII wide receiver last season. But nobody on the campus at Desert, a 395-student school located on Edwards Air Force Base in Rosamond, is expecting a powerhouse such as Hart, for example, to schedule a nonleague matchup anytime soon.

Faulk will get his chance to gain some recognition, both for himself and his school, in the sixth annual High Desert All-Star Football Game at 7 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Valley College.

``No one really ever paid attention to me before,'' Faulk said at the East's practice Monday at Antelope Valley High. ``We have some good players at Desert, but I don't think we had even 100 people at our games.''

--Option by choice: The East's strength figures to be quarterbacks Demetre Booker of Antelope Valley and Terry Furlow of Palmdale, both of whom have committed to four-year universities.

Cal Poly SLO-bound Booker ran the option at Antelope Valley, accounting for 765 yards rushing, 930 yards passing and 26 touchdowns as a senior. Antelope Valley offensive coordinator Brandon Newcomb is the East's head coach, so the team figures to run the option in Saturday's all-star game, too.

Furlow, who is going to Fresno State, directed a traditional offense at Palmdale, passing for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. But he also scrambled frequently, rushing for 377 yards, a 4.5 average and nine touchdowns.

``We're going to take advantage any way we can,'' Furlow said. ``It doesn't matter if we run the option with me or Demetre because I can do it, too.''

--Big target: Paraclete all-purpose standout Michael Washington, who figures to be the West's key weapon, has gained 10 pounds since football season ended, measuring in at 6-foot-3, 220.

``I've just been eating and lifting,'' Washington said. ``I'm going to lose some weight, but it doesn't really matter.''

Washington, who has committed to Utah State, said the Aggies want him to play wide receiver - ``but I might be too big.''

Washington, who rushed for 978 yards, caught 22 passes and scored 12 touchdowns for the Spirits as a senior, will play running back, defensive back and punter on Saturday.

--Teal is for real: Quartz Hill running back/receiver Derrick Teal, expected to be one of the region's top prospects entering last season, lost most of his senior season to an ankle injury. He managed just 101 yards rushing - including an 80-yard touchdown - and two receptions, but the stocky 5-7, 190-pounder is healthy now and could be the West's hidden gem.

``Derrick is good to go,'' said West coach Jeff Cortez of Paraclete. ``He's not going to play running back on Saturday, but he'll be a starting cornerback and he'll also be in the mix at receiver. He's pretty darn good.''

HIGH DESERT ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Antelope Valley College

Coaches: Jeff Cortez, West; Brandon Newcomb and Bernie Kyman, East

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Doug Faulk

(2) Terry Furlow

(3) Michael Washington

Gerry Gittelson/Special to the Daily News

Box: High Desert All-Star Football Game (see text)