3-A DIVISIONVan Nuys 14, Birmingham 6--Running back...

3-A DIVISION

Van Nuys 14, Birmingham 6--Running back Carlos Mack rushed for a 67-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage to ignite Van Nuys.

Mack, who rushed for 151 yards in 20 carries, also scored on a two-yard run with 2 minutes 33 seconds to play in the second quarter, capping a 14-play, 64-yard drive.

The key play of the drive was Mack’s 28-yard reception from quarterback Robert Williamson that carried the Wolves to the Birmingham 15-yard line. Williamson completed all three of his attempts for 39 yards.

Birmingham’s only score came early in the second quarter when junior running back Emmanuel Evans ran 13 yards for a touchdown. Evans’ running attempt for a two-point conversion failed and Van Nuys retained a 7-6 lead.

Evans carried 28 times for 172 yards, finishing the season with 1,598 yards rushing.

A seven-yard touchdown pass from Birmingham quarterback Scott Doherty to running back Bobby Davis with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter was nullified by a holding penalty. The penalty moved the ball back to the 16. The Braves drove to the three, but Evans was stopped on fourth down two yards shy of the goal line.

Doherty completed four of 14 passes for 52 yards. Davis caught all four passes.

Defense and field conditions came into play in the scoreless second half. The best scoring opportunity belonged to Birmingham.

Starting at their own six with 9:22 to play in the game, the Braves drove to the Van Nuys 33, where a wayward lateral from Doherty to Evans was recovered by the Wolves. It was the game’s only turnover.

Van Nuys, winner of five of its last six games, totaled 213 yards rushing with a ball-control offense.