CITY SECTION FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Birmingham Defense Stiffens in Victory Over Canoga Park

Quarterback Courtney Blunt scored on a 53-yard run, and the Birmingham High defense stopped a two-point conversion attempt in the final minute to secure a 13-12 victory over Canoga Park in a season-opening game Friday night at Birmingham.

All the scoring in the nonleague game came in the fourth quarter.

Canoga Park nearly pulled out the game when quarterback Chris Monzon tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Horn with 49 seconds to play to move the Hunters within one point.

However, Birmingham stopped a two-point conversion run by Roger Sanchez to preserve the victory.

Blunt led all rushers with 72 yards in 11 carries. Monzon completed nine of 19 passes for 150 yards.

Canoga Park scored first on a six-yard run by Sanchez, capping a 52-yard drive.

After Blunt’s run tied the score, 6-6, Birmingham increased the lead to 13-6 on a three-yard run by Marvin Powell in the fourth quarter.