Birmingham Stops Poly Title Drives Cold

Poly High wanted a crack at the East Valley League title, but the Sun Valley-based school had its hopes plucked from its grasp Friday night by a determined Birmingham squad.

Birmingham forced the visiting Parrots to turn the ball over on downs twice in the fourth period, then sealed a 16-7 victory with a safety in the final seconds.

Poly (6-3, 3-3 in league play) failed in its attempt to set up a title showdown next week with league-leading Sylmar. Birmingham (5-3, 4-2) moved into sole possession of second place in the East Valley.

The Braves won with converted running back Paul Holt playing in place of quarterback Casey Doherty, who was sidelined because of flu.

Sam Larios led Birmingham with 107 yards in 24 carries, and Larry Wilson added 56 yards in 21 carries.

Poly, which boasts the area’s top City Section rushing unit, got 108 yards in 18 carries from Johnnie Brown.

Ron Botley had 67 yards in 11 carries and quarterback Anthony Muse added 52 yards in 12 carries for Poly.

Birmingham twice stopped Poly drives on downs in the fourth period, then sealed the Parrots’ fate with a late safety.

Poly stopped a Brave drive at the Parrot one-yard line with 18 seconds to play and took over on downs.

After an incomplete pass, Muse was tackled in the end zone by Brave linebacker Marvin Powell to account for the final score.

Poly was stymied by a Brave defense led by Powell, who recorded a sack and spent much of the night in the Parrot backfield.

Birmingham forced three Poly fumbles, recovering two.

Holt guided Birmingham to two second-period scores and a 14-7 halftime advantage.

Holt threw only six passes but completed three of them for 32 yards in an effective but inauspicious effort.

Wilson scored on a one-yard run early in the second quarter to cut Poly’s lead to 7-6, but Tony Serpas’ kick was deflected by Muse.

The Braves took the lead just before halftime when Holt scored on a two-yard run. Larios ran for the two-point conversion to put Birmingham ahead by eight points.

Poly drove to a touchdown on its opening series, going 80 yards in seven plays and finishing with Brown’s eight-yard run.