Time Runs Out on Antelope Valley Upset Bid

Running back Jermaine Lewis rubbed his forehead, over and over and over again.

He winced, grimaced and ground his molars.

“We shouldn’t have lost that game,” Lewis grumbled. “I don’t know how we lost it.”

Neither do most of his Antelope Valley High teammates.

Despite pushing highly regarded Bakersfield all over the field for much of the game, Antelope Valley was turned away in the final moments and lost, 19-16, in a tumultuous intersectional game at Antelope Valley on Friday night.

Antelope Valley (2-1) drove to the one-yard line with 17 seconds remaining, but fell short when Lewis fumbled and lost seven yards on a sweep and Mike Gleich was sacked two plays later as time expired.

Bakersfield, ranked third in the state, took a 19-14 lead with 9:09 remaining on a 29-yard pass play from quarterback Robert Carter to Charles Woolfolk. But thereafter, Antelope Valley applied all the pressure the Drillers (3-0) could possibly stand.

Antelope Valley punted on its next possession, but downed the ball at the one-yard line when Jesse Clark acrobatically batted the ball out of the end zone to save a touchback. On the next play, Bakersfield running back Steve Wofford (33 carries for 170 yards) was tackled by Caleb Smith and C.J. Fagan for a safety, paring the lead to 19-16.

After the free kick, Antelope Valley took possession at its 22 with 6:58 left and started downfield behind Lewis, who had the game of his life.

Lewis, a 5-foot-5, 130-pound sophomore, rushed for 247 yards in 28 carries, both career highs. He also scored on runs of 68 and 80 yards, the latter on the first play of the second half to give the Antelopes a 14-7 lead.

Lewis carried 10 times in the drive, which was kept alive by clutch completions from quarterback Mike Gleich to Chris Tapia and James Juneau. On fourth and seven at the Bakersfield 12 and 24 seconds remaining, Antelope Valley elected to pull kicker Chad Shrout off the field. Gleich then hit fullback Juneau for an 11-yard gain to the one.

However, the next three plays netted a loss of 14 yards as Bakersfield managed to hold on.