HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Blunt Instrumental in Birmingham’s Victory Over University

Courtney Blunt’s transition from cornerback to running back continues to be an unqualified success for Birmingham High.

Blunt rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown in 24 carries to lead the Braves to a 21-7 nonleague victory over University on Wednesday at Birmingham.

Coming off a 219-yard, two-touchdown performance in Birmingham’s victory Friday against Lincoln, Blunt gained 65 yards on the Braves’ first two plays from scrimmage, including a 42-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Rafael Requena’s extra point gave Birmingham (2-0) a 7-0 lead.

University’s defense toughened, allowing only 47 more yards until the beginning of the fourth quarter. But following a fumble recovery by Birmingham’s Anthony Cady at the University 42-yard line, the Braves drove to their second touchdown, a three-yard run by quarterback Marvin Powell on fourth down with 10:10 to play.

Birmingham took advantage of good field position on its next possession after University punter Carlos Campos was tackled following a bad snap at the Warriors’ 33. Four plays later, running back Tony Nichols scored from four yards for a 21-0 Birmingham lead.

University sophomore Marco Pleas, who gained 92 yards in nine carries, scored on a three-yard run with 4:28 to play to put the Warriors (0-2) on the scoreboard.

Birmingham allowed 66 yards in the first half but was outgained by University for the game, 206-195.

Powell, who doubled at linebacker, rushed for 51 yards in 12 carries but attempted only four passes, completing two for 14 yards with one interception.

University quarterback Lal Knight, the victim of several dropped passes, completed nine of 26 for 111 yards.

Blunt is averaging 7.9 yards per a carry this season.

Grant 21, Marshall 0--Junior running back Di-onte Smith rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in 16 carries to lead the Lancers (2-0) at Marshall. Quarterback Ray Singleton completed seven of 15 passes for 55 yards and scored on a 13-yard run in the first quarter to put Grant ahead.

Defensive lineman Charlie Yanokian picked up a fumble near the Barristers’ end zone and ran four yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to increase Grant’s lead to 14-0. Sean Kuykendall caught five passes for 41 yards.

Monroe 20, Verdugo Hills 12--Monroe quarterback Mike Johnson threw for two first-half touchdowns to lead the Vikings (1-1) to a 20-0 halftime lead at Verdugo Hills.

Quarterback David Bryant led the comeback for the Dons (0-2), completing six of eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in the second half. For the game, Bryant completed nine of 14 for 119 yards.

Watani Harris scored on a one-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut Monroe’s lead to 20-12.

Five minutes later, Verdugo Hills linebacker Robert Avery intercepted a pass by Johnson and returned it 42 yards for an apparent touchdown, but the runback was nullified by a clipping penalty. The Dons were unable to score on the ensuing possession.

Johnson completed four of 11 passes for 127 yards, including touchdown throws to wide receivers Domenic DeLillio (four yards) and Kashan Griffin (57 yards).

“The coaches told me to watch the pass before the game and we called a lot of audibles,” Johnson said. “Our receivers are taller and faster than their defensive backs, so we were able to take advantage.”

Verdugo Hills running back Hemdee Kiwanuka gained 48 yards in four carries, all in the second half, and wide receiver John Wokensdorfer caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Monroe running back Robert Nunn scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter, following a diving 36-yard reception by DeLillio. Nunn finished with 17 yards in seven carries.

Van Nuys 13, Franklin 7--Running back Larry Reed rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give visiting Van Nuys (1-1) the nonleague victory.

Reed, who ran for a game-high 41 yards in 14 carries, scored on a four-yard run with 2:52 to play to put the Wolves ahead.

His seven-yard scoring run midway through the final quarter capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive and drew Van Nuys to within 7-6. A two-point conversion attempt failed.

Wolves quarterback Chris Byfield completed four of nine for 81 yards, including a 22-yard pass to Jose Cortez to keep Van Nuys’ first scoring drive alive. Byfield was sacked five times for minus-54 yards.

Franklin (0-2) held Van Nuys to minus-19 yards in the first half. The Wolves fumbled six times before the break, losing three.

Last week in its opener, Van Nuys rallied from a 16-0 deficit against Reseda before falling, 24-19.

Fairfax 21, Cleveland 0--The Cavaliers surrendered 21 first-quarter points and were unable to recover in a nonleague game at Fairfax. Cleveland’s offense never got untracked, accounting for only 84 yards.

Russel Burwell of Cleveland (1-1) had 27 yards in 12 carries against Fairfax (2-0), which has posted two consecutive shutouts.

Cleveland shut out Poly, 7-0, last week behind 103 yards by Burwell, the brother of former Cavalier standout Sean Burwell.

Eagle Rock 28, Poly 21--The rushing of Ternell Young and Neil Dominguez led Eagle Rock (1-1) in a nonleague game at Poly.

Young, a sophomore transfer from North Hollywood, had 109 yards in 22 carries. Dominguez added 92 yards and two touchdowns in 24 carries.

Poly quarterback Kejon Douglas scored touchdowns on runs of 41 and 45 yards. He finished with 107 yards in 13 carries and completed five of 13 passes for 63 yards.

Eagle Rock benefited from three Poly turnovers and converted them into 14 points. Ismael Lagunas intercepted a pass late in the second quarter and Dominguez scored five plays later to give Eagle Rock a 13-7 halftime lead.