MARAUDERS HEAD INTO 50TH SEASON : AVC TO TAKE ON PALOMAR TEAM LOOKING TO BREAK ROAD SLUMP WITH WIN IN SAN MARCOS.

Byline: Melissa Anderson Special to the Daily News

The 50th season of Antelope Valley College football kicks off today against Palomar in a 6 p.m. matchup in San Marcos, near San Diego. And for the Marauders, nothing could add more to the anniversary celebration than finally getting a victory on the road.

That's because Antelope Valley enters tonight's game having lost five straight games on the road. In fact, the Marauders are 1-9 outside of Marauder Stadium in the past two seasons.

But that was then, and according to Antelope Valley coach Brent Carder, this year's squad is more experienced and better prepared than the teams he's fielded the past two years.

``We are shaping up to be a pretty good football team,'' Carder said. ``At this point, we're very optimistic. We've come together well and are already starting to solidify.''

Carder has reason to be optimistic, especially against a Palomar College team that finished last year at 5-5, fifth in the Mission Conference Central. Antelope Valley returns the core of its defense with linebackers Keith Schiele and Brian Periera in the middle and Ricky Windham and Roderick Boose on the outside.

Offensively, Shawn Sharp is back at quarterback and looking to improve on last season's performance (76 of 143 for 865 yards, six touchdowns). Running back Jamel White, a sophomore out of Palmdale High School, and wide receiver Eric Watts also return and are key to tonight's attack against Palomar.

Now in his 27th season at Antelope Valley, Carder changed his training regimen this summer, emphasizing running and conditioning more than he has in the past. And as a result, he feels his team has come on faster than in year's past. It's a good thing, too, because after two-straight losing seasons, the Marauders are in dire need of a winning campaign.

But the Comets are also improved, and they should provide more than a viable opponent for the Marauders. Ranked No. 18 in the state to start the season, Palomar is under the direction of new head coach Mark Eldridge and could very well spoil Antelope Valley's birthday celebration.

Though Carder has not yet seen his team in action, he feels confident based on inter-squad scrimmages and practice that his team will be able to handle the Comets, who are known primarily as a throwing team with little threat on the ground.

``We've gelled faster than in the past,'' Carder said. ``And that's probably a good thing because we are playing a good football team this weekend.''

If history is any indication, Antelope Valley has the edge over Palomar. Though the teams haven't met since 1990, Carder's teams are 2-1 against the Comets, and Antelope Valley leads the all-time series, 12-6.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1) Antelope Valley College football players high -step through a new training regimen that puts an emphasis on running and conditioning.

(2) Defensive back Jerry Jones, left, tries hard to hold on to the ball as he's tackled by Clayton Roles during practice.

(3) According to coach Brent Carder, this year's squad is more experienced and better prepared than the teams he's fielded in the past two years.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News