Poly Still Has North Hollywood’s Number, 34-7

North Hollywood High Coach Gary Gray waved his wand one more time Friday night, hoping for another magical effort from his football team.

But this time when Gray reached into his hat, all he came up with was a handful of Parrot feathers.

The Poly Parrots drubbed the Huskies, 34-7, in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game at North Hollywood, the third straight season Poly has defeated North Hollywood.

Poly, which defeated the Huskies, 49-0, last year, has outscored North Hollywood, 139-26, over the last three seasons.

Parrot running back Johnnie Brown rushed for 147 yards in 24 carries and scored on runs of one, three and 40 yards.

Poly’s Ron Botley added 97 yards in 15 carries and scored on an 11-yard run.

North Hollywood quarterback Jimmie Crist, who entered the game as the most efficient passer among City Section quarterbacks in the region, completed only two of 10 passes for 44 yards and one touchdown. Crist was sacked five times for minus-38 yards.

Poly (4-1, 1-1) held North Hollywood (3-2, 0-2) to 126 yards in total offense.

The Huskies’ only score came on the opening drive of the third period when Crist tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Rafat Kerkonian.

North Hollywood was led by tailback Ricardo Vazquez, a converted cornerback, who rushed for 50 yards in 13 carries in only two quarters of playing time. Vazquez was forced into the offensive backfield in place of starter Carl Evans, who sprained an ankle in the second quarter.

North Hollywood, which had allowed just over seven points a game, gave up 20 in the first period to Poly.

The Parrots scored on their opening series, Botley capping an 83-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run.

Poly capitalized on a fumble by Crist moments later. Steve Flores recovered for the Parrots at the Husky 12-yard line, and Brown scored on a one-yard run five plays later.

Poly blocked a punt by Jose Delgado late in the second period and took over at the North Hollywood 13. Four plays later, Brown scored from three yards, and Jose Ruiz’s kick put the Parrots ahead, 20-0, with 20 seconds left in the quarter.

Poly, which held the Huskies to minus-40 yards in the first half, scored again just before intermission.

A 61-yard completion from Anthony Muse to Kevin Magee put the ball at the North Hollywood 14, and Muse sneaked over from the one five plays later.