MONSTER ON FIELD, BUT A SOFTY TO CHILDREN.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Marc Matthews is an intensely physical two-way football lineman with a heart.

Both powerful and swift for his size, Matthews, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound Antelope Valley High senior, is primarily an interior lineman but has played multiple positions on both sides.

Since transferring to Antelope Valley from Blair of Pasadena before his junior year, when he was admittedly unpolished, Matthews has emerged as one of the Golden League's most dominant linemen.

The Antelopes (0-4) will count heavily on his physical presence when they open league play against traditional rival Palmdale (3-1, 1-0) at 7 p.m. today at Palmdale.

But as much as he loves bullying opponents backward and chasing quarterbacks off their feet, there is another side to Matthews, the affable intimidator whose teammates call him ``Teddy Bear.''

Matthews said he developed a passion for helping others soon after the birth of his youngest brother, Christian, 1 year old. He has two other brothers, Aaron, who's 6, and Anaya, who's 11, and a 13-year-old sister, Ellesse.

Matthews said he's considering majoring in child development.

``I started teaching (Christian) and how to walk and sing `Mary had a Little Lamb,' and that was such a good feeling,'' Matthews said. ``I like to help people, and kids are just my weakness.''

But you're unlikely to find Matthews singing nursery rhymes on Friday nights.

``He's a big monster on the field,'' junior two-way lineman Christian Mohan said.

Matthews said he wants to play at a four-year college.

Topping his wish list is Utah State, where his cousin Sean Smith is currently a star receiver.

It is a goal that Antelope Valley coach Jon Fleming believes is attainable.

``He needs to get a little bit stronger, but he's got great feet for a guy his size, and if he continues to grow the way he has the last year he can do some pretty good things at the next level,'' Fleming said.

Matthews said moving to the Antelope Valley from a rough part of Pasadena has given him a second chance. He credits Fleming with running a more structured program than he experienced at Blair with helping him tap into his potential.

``My life in Pasadena wasn't really going anywhere, but then I came out here and got introduced to college football from coach Fleming,'' Matthews said. ``I realized I had chance to make something out of myself.''

Fleming said Matthews has brought far more to the program than just his physical ability.

He credits Matthews with providing much-needed leadership to a team, hit hard by graduation, that starts 18 underclassmen. He is one of two returning all-league selections.

``He's just a great kid to have around,'' Fleming said. ``He's a yes- sir, no-sir kid, the kind of kid you want to have in your program.

``I really enjoy coaching him.''

Matthews' leadership has helped Antelope Valley endure one of its slowest starts in recent memory.

``He's really stepped up as far as being a leader,'' Mohan said.

Mohan said Matthews is vocal but not overbearing, kind of like a huge teddy bear.

``I'm big, and I know I look scary, but I'm really not,'' Matthews said. ``I'm really a very kind person.''

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TONIGHT'S GAMES

ANTELOPE VALLEY (0-4) at PALMDALE (3-1, 1-0), 7 p.m.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Palmdale Sr. DB/WR Davon House. House, an athletic 6-foot-2 180-pound two-way standout, is a Div. I prospect with great instincts. He's the younger brother of 2005 Golden League player of the year Tyreace, who also played for Palmdale.

OUTLOOK: After sputtering in its season opener, league favorite Palmdale has won three straight, outscoring its opponents 96-9 over that stretch and shutting out its last two. Injuries, heavy graduation losses and an exceedingly tough nonleague schedule have Antelope Valley off to its worst start in years.

LITTLEROCK (0-4, 0-1) at LANCASTER (2-2, 1-0), 7 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Lancaster Sr. SS/FB Marcus Wyre. Known as one of the league's hardest hitters on defense, Wyre has excelled in his new role in the backfield. He's averaging 99.5 rushing yards and is coming off a career-best 191-yard game in last week's 20-7 league opening win against Quartz Hill.

OUTLOOK: Littlerock has progressed since the start of the season but tonight it will need an inspired effort just to keep it close. The Lobos' best hope is to control the ball with their short passing game, keeping Lancaster's mercilessly efficient rushing game off the field as much as possible. Lancaster rolled up 333 rushing yards against Quartz Hill and has rushed for at least 100 yards in all 38 games since coach Jeff Cortez took over the program in 2003.

KNIGHT (1-3, 0-1) at QUARTZ HILL (1-3, 1-0), 7 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Knight Sr. QB Terrell Merritt. Merritt, a converted running back, has excelled in Knight's new option offense. He's thrown for 349 yards and leads the team averaging 87.3 rushing yards.

OUTLOOK: Knight looks for what would be arguably the school's most significant win in any sport. The Hawks were overmatched in last week's league opening 34-0 loss to Palmdale and have been outscored 62-10 in their last two games. Quartz Hill wants to take no chances against an unpredictable option offense and will look to control the ball with its traditional power running game.

ROSAMOND (3-1) vs. PARACLETE (3-1), 7:30 p.m., at Antelope Valley College 

PLAYER TO WATCH: Rosamond Sr. QB Nich Gutierrez. Gutierrez has given Rosamond's run-oriented offense an added dimension, throwing for 585 yards and at least 100 yards in every game.

OUTLOOK: Despite multiple quarterback injuries, Paraclete has already equaled its victory total from last season. The Spirits seek what would be their biggest win of the season. Rosamond is ranked No. 6 in the Southern Section's most recent East Valley Div. poll.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 3 boxes

Photo:

(color) Antelope Valley High School lineman Marc Mathews bullies opponents and chases quarterbacks on the football field, but he's as gentle as a teddy bear to his baby brother and other small children. He's thinking about majoring in child development in college.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) FIRST AND 10

(2) TONIGHT'S GAMES (see text)

(3) INSIDE THE NUMBERS