Antelope Valley to Face Explosive Southwest : College football: Southern California Bowl game matches Foothill, WSC South Division runners-up.

Antelope Valley College will play host to L.A. Southwest in the Southern California Bowl game at 12:30 p.m. today at Antelope Valley.

The Marauders (8-2) finished second in the Foothill Conference, and Southwest (7-2-1) tied Pierce for the runner-up position in the Western State Conference South Division.

The Cougars’ success stems from a solid offense featuring some big-play performers and a defense keyed by a line that yields yardage grudgingly.

Quarterback Jesse Wallace was honored as the South Division offensive player of the year after ranking fifth in the state in passing efficiency. Wallace, formerly of Monroe High, completed 88 of 174 passes for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns. He threw only six interceptions.

Wide receiver Michael Stephens has 27 receptions for 502 yards and nine touchdowns for Southwest, and fullback Takim Brown (902 yards and eight touchdowns) and tailback William Jarrett (428 yards, two scores) give the Cougars both power and speed in their ground attack.

Southwest’s defense, which is ranked 10th in the state (256.1 yards a game) and held Moorpark to one offensive touchdown in a 30-14 win earlier this year, is led by Victor Myles. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore lineman was named the division’s defensive player of the year.

Antelope Valley, ranked 18th in the state, will try to counter with an offense that is averaging 367.7 yards a game.

The Marauders traditionally have employed a run-dominated, ball-control offense.

Although Antelope Valley still runs more than it passes, quarterback Marty Washington has been very efficient. The sophomore from Quartz Hill High has completed 72 of 159 for 1,463 yards, 12 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He ranks ninth in the state in passing efficiency.

Tight end Thomas Reimer (16 receptions for 298 yards, one touchdown) has been Washington’s favorite receiver, but wideout Nate Williams (14 for 412 yards, eight touchdowns) has been his most lethal weapon.

Greg Graham (606 yards, five touchdowns) leads a ground attack that is averaging 183.1 yards.

Lineman Daron Rodgers is the Foothill Conference defensive player of the year. He leads a Marauder defense that has been brilliant at times but which has given up points in bunches on other occasions.

For example, Antelope Valley shut out Foothill champion San Bernardino Valley, 7-0, on Oct. 26, one week after giving up six touchdown passes to East L.A. quarterback Santiago Alvarez in a 42-32 defeat.