Birmingham Unable to Catch Poly Despite Staging Late Rally, 28-21

Poly High survived a late Birmingham rally for a 28-21 victory in an East Valley League game at Poly on Friday.

The Parrots (8-2, 6-1 in league play) finished second behind Sylmar--a 35-0 winner over North Hollywood--in the league standings for the second consecutive year. Birmingham (7-2, 5-2) claimed third place.

Poly led, 21-0, and, 28-7, in the second half, but Birmingham did not go away.

With Poly leading, 21-7, in the third quarter, Birmingham defensive end Marv Powell slammed quarterback Lance Garcia to the ground for a 10-yard loss. It was a tense eight minutes on the Poly sideline, as Garcia screamed in pain on the field.

After doctors worked on Garcia, the quarterback left the field under his own power with a mild concussion.

“Afterward, I felt like it was a dream,” Garcia said. “I don’t remember too much about it.”

Birmingham got back in the game when Erik Williams intercepted a pass from backup quarterback Donte Arrington at the 30 and ran it back for a touchdown with 6 minutes 56 seconds left in the third quarter.

Paul Holt scored on a four-yard run with 35 seconds left in the quarter to make it 28-21.

Birmingham’s ensuing onside kick went out of bounds untouched at Poly’s 48.

Poly’s first drive of the game was impressive, but the Parrots came away empty after maintaining possession for 9:33.

The Parrots ran 14 plays and drove to Birmingham’s 16. But two consecutive holding penalties stymied the march.

Birmingham ran just three plays and then punted during its only possession of the first quarter.

Ronald Botley scored from two yards in the second quarter after Diego Alvarez’s 22-yard run put Poly ahead, 7-0.

Poly’s defense looked sharp in the first half, allowing just 42 yards, 32 of them coming during Birmingham’s hurry-up offensive series just before intermission.