Antelope Valley Runs Into Real Challenge : High school football: Bakersfield features All-American running back Steve Wofford.

With two shutouts in two weeks, defense is the reason Antelope Valley High’s football team is undefeated. But an All-American running back will provide the Antelopes with their stiffest test when they play Bakersfield, the third-ranked team in the state, tonight in Bakersfield.

Kickoff is at 7:30 at Bakersfield College. The game is expected to draw a crowd of more than 10,000.

Coming off a 14-0 victory over West Bakersfield and an 8-0 victory over Hesperia in its season opener, Antelope Valley, ranked 16th in the state, must contend with standout running back Steve Wofford.

Last week, Wofford gained 142 yards in 16 carries in a 45-14 victory over South Bakersfield, establishing a Central Section career rushing record. Wofford has 4,675 rushing yards. In a season-opening 31-7 victory over Garces, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Wofford gained 171 yards in 18 carries.

“He’s just the best running back in the state,” Antelope Valley Coach Brent Newcomb said. “He’s got an excellent line in front of him and they’ve got great athletes everywhere else.”

Antelope Valley may have to face Wofford without one of its best defensive players. Caleb Smith, a All-Golden League lineman in 1993, is questionable after injuring his right foot against West Bakersfield. X-rays of the foot were negative but he was held out of practice early in the week.

When the teams met last year in Bakersfield, Wofford had 171 yards in 32 carries but was upstaged by Antelope Valley tailback Jermaine Lewis, who gained 247 yards and scored two touchdowns in 28 carries in a 19-16 defeat.

Lewis, a junior, has gained 188 yards in 36 carries this season.

Antelope Valley quarterback Trymon Redick completed three of six passes for 95 yards against West Bakersfield after attempting only one pass against Hesperia because of a finger injury.