REGION FOOTBALL CAPSULES: AV HIGH TRIES FOR NEW TREND : ANTELOPES LOOK TO RELIVE 1997.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Antelope Valley High's football team is hungry for a win, and upcoming opponent Dominguez of Compton is hungry after being eliminated by the Antelopes in the Southern Section Division II playoffs last year.

Something has to give.

The perennial powers meet Friday at Dominguez at 7:30 p.m., the fourth consecutive strenuous test for the consistently overmatched Antelopes (0-2-1).

Antelope Valley started the season in everyone's area Top 10 before losing 20-0 to Bakersfield, tying Sylmar 14-14 and falling 41-20 at Bishop Amat (ranked No. 3 in California) last week.

Dominguez had beaten Antelope Valley in their last three meetings before last November's 28-25 playoff loss at Mays Field.

On the bright side, Antelope Valley quarterback Michael Place had his best outing against Bishop Amat: 8 of 22, 132 yards, one touchdown. Unfortunately, tight end Richard Socci, who caught a 3-yard TD pass, is out with an injury. Socci is added to AV's growing disabled list which includes defensive back Chasio Gaines, linebacker Ron Miller and lineman Anthony Lopez. All are doubtful. In addition, running back Jermaine Marshall was dismissed for ``behavior detrimental to the team'' on Thursday.

Perennial power Dominguez, known for its advanced blocking schemes and quick skill-position players, has won two in a row after losing its opener. The Dons graduated All-Americans Jason Thomas (quarterback) and Willie Hurst (running back) but appear ``basically the same on film,'' according to AV coach Brent Newcomb.

``They've still got all that speed, and they're big on the offensive line,'' Newcomb said. ``They're running a lot of misdirection plays again.''

Considering the two or three plays which did not go AV's way proved the difference against Bishop Amat, Newcomb is not counting out his underdog team.

``We're improving and we've built a lot of character,'' he said.

Other Friday prep football matchups:

PALMDALE (2-1) vs. No. 1 HART (2-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at College of the Canyons

The scoop:Palmdale looks to rebound after five straight losses in the series, including a 28-6 playoff loss to the Indians last year. Palmdale coach Jeff Williams is 0-5 against Hart.

Palmdale was upset 25-24 by Division X Verbum Dei on Friday, partly due to the absence of suspended LB Mark Hendricks, who returns. QB Johnathan Thompson is Palmdale's key offensive player. He has thrown for 254 yards and four touchdowns and also leads the team with 180 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Hendricks, DL Anthony Diggs, and DB Shane Johnson spark the defense; they will have their work cut out for them against the Indians, featuring QB Kyle Boller (1,093 yards, 13 TDs), WR Jerry Owens (20 catches, 448 yards, five TDs) and RB Billy Brecht (290 yards, 10.0 avg., four TDs).

HIGHLAND (1-2) at CLOVIS WEST (3-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop:

offVisiting Highland figures to be a major underdog and must play mistake-free football to avoid a blowout against the top-ranked program in the CIF Central Section.

Still, Highland comes off its best performance, a convincing 37-17 win over Victor Valley that saw RBs Brandon McElvaine (149 yards, one TD) and Kevin Morris (110 yards, two TDs) have their way, as Highland piled up 400 yards.

But Clovis West, which beat Bakersfield Centennial 35-13 on Friday, is overpowering. Coached by wing-T master Randy Blankenship, Clovis West prefers a hurry-up offense and features mostly senior starters. The team's only setback was a 21-14 loss to Mater Dei the in second week of the season.

LANCASTER (2-1) at MUIR (1-2)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The scoop:With Friday's 21-20 loss to Crespi, Lancaster fell just one point short of being undefeated; this might have been the week bubbling Lancaster cracked the Daily News Top 10 for the first time in school history. At any rate, the Eagles are a very good football team, featuring a massive front line led by Nick Koufos (6-2, 280), two quick RBs in Danny Pagnella (220 yards, 5.4 avg.) and Darsay Barnwell (187 yards, 7.8 avg.), a solid secondary sparked by Dominic Flax, Mike Brown, and Percy Abrams and perhaps the area's most potent kicker in Robert La Plante, who has two field goals this year and nine last year.

Muir hopes to regroup after a 52-0 spanking from Long Beach Poly, ranked No. 2 nationally in USA Today. Two weeks ago, the Mustangs lost 38-0 to Bishop Amat, so being overmatched is not news on the Pasadena campus. James Samuel is Muir's top skill player.

ROSAMOND (2-1) at LITTLEROCK (3-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

The scoop:What looks like a certain rout by larger Littlerock might be closer than expected according to Littlerock coach Jim Bauer, whose key RB Rodney Woods (sprained ankle) is doubtful.

``We have everything to lose and Rosamond has everything to gain,'' Bauer said. ``They're a good football team that's going to win the High Desert League this year. (Rosamond coach) Tim Cox wouldn't have scheduled us if he didn't think he could win.''

Woods scored touchdowns of 21, 50, and 53 yards on his first three carries last week in a 31-14 win over Barstow - he finished with 168 yards on 10 attempts - before his second quarter injury. Keith Williams filled in with 70 yards in 12 attempts.

Division XI Rosamond's only setback was a narrow loss to Tehachapi.

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Photo

PHOTO Palmdale High football coach Jeff Williams is winless in five tries against Hart High, the Falcons' opponent Friday at COC.

David Crane/Daily News