SEMI-PRO TEAM PUTS GRID PLAYERS IN SHAPE TO HOPE.

Byline: John Sanders Staff Writer

Former high school and college players dreaming of football careers - whether in the Arena League, the Canadian Football League, the World League or even the National Football League - are keeping their hopes alive through a semiprofessional team.

Using a soccer field at Tierra Bonita Park as their home stadium, the Antelope Valley Blackbirds play other semiprofessional teams from as far away as Tucson.

``I would love to go to the next level. I feel that I am next-level material, and I still got a little bit to offer to football, so that's why I'm out here now,'' said former Quartz Hill High and Antelope Valley College standout Troy Searcy, who just completed playing football at Northern Arizona University. ``I'm out here to stay in shape and just keep my skills honed and back up to par where they should be.''

The Blackbirds are the successor to the Antelope Valley Crusaders, a semiprofessional team that won at least four league championships in the early to mid-'90s.

Lancaster veterinarian Larry Bosma, who was the Crusaders' owner, is the Blackbirds' head coach. The Blackbirds' owner is Lancaster resident Marcus Watts, who is also a defensive lineman.

``I'm very excited. I can't even conceal my excitement,'' Watts said. ``We need some type of entertainment. With this here, it allows the families to have something to do.''

From his savings, Watts pays most of the team's costs, including expenses for travel and uniforms.

Most of the 50 or so Blackbirds players have regular jobs, but Watts hopes the team will be able to afford to pay some sort of wages within the next couple of years.

The Blackbirds practice for three hours every Wednesday at Tierra Bonita Park in east Lancaster. The team also plays its home games at Tierra Bonita.

``I just want to stay in shape,'' said former Antelope Valley College football player Dante Lee, a defensive back. ``They say some scouts might be out here, so you might get a look, but it depends on how good the team is.

``I'm definitely looking forward to going up in levels, playing a little arena ball if I could.''

Despite the Blackbirds' 0-2 record in their first season - they lost two close games to the Tucson Blaze and Southern California Cardinals - Watts is optimistic about bringing semi-pro football back to the Antelope Valley.

``There are tons of players who, with just a little bit of help, could have made it,'' Watts said. ``We probably got the best team in the league. We probably got the best team in Southern California.''

Tickets are $6 for spectators 16 and older, $3 for those 7 to 15 and free for children 6 and younger. For more information about the Blackbirds, call [phone].