MARAUDER FOOTBALL LOOKS TO REBOUND AT HOME ON SATURDAY

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - After a disappointing loss to College of the Canyons last Saturday night, the Marauders open thier home season against San Diego Mesa.

It was an inauspicious beginning to last week's game against the Cougars, as AVC got down 32-7. Two fourth quarter touchdowns made things respectable, but the Marauders were still defeated by Canyons, again, for the 10 consecutive time.

Last week, quarterback Blake Shepherd tied for second on the Marauder career passing yards list (3,215) in only 11 games. He should shatter Cory Allred's record (3,764) sometime this season.

The Marauders (0-1) only rushed for a total of 67 yards as a team and will need to boost that number in order to take some of the pressure off Shepherd, who finished the game a mortal 17-of-37 for 240 yards and a touchdown. Tre Coleman led the rushing attack with 44 yards on 10 carries.

AVC was sacked a school record 11 times.

SD Mesa (0-1) suffered a tough loss, 49-21, to Grossmont College. The Olympians only rushed for a total of 89 yards and no player had more than 27 yards rushing. Maybe because they got down 21-0 early to Grossmont and had to sling the ball to try and get back into the game.

Sophomore quarterback Nick Plum aired it out 42 times and completed 21 of those passes for 270 yards. He tossed three touchdown passes but was picked off three times.

AVC must be weary of deep threat receiver Tyler Crayton. PLum's favortie target caught seven passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.

On the flipside, the Marauders have a few of their only dangerous weapons. Donte Ross had eight receptions for 122 yards. Teammates  Conor Keating and Carlon Smith each caught four passes from Shepherd.

AVC holds an all-time career record against the Olympians, 6-5. The last time the two teams met was in 2007 when the Marauders held on for a 14-13 victory.