Birmingham No Match for Carson Show, 52-7

Birmingham High, which scored 53 points in winning its playoff opener last week against Palisades, ran into a considerably tougher defense Wednesday night.

This time, the Patriots could scarcely manage first downs, let alone points, in a 52-7 loss to Carson in a City Championship quarterfinal at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

No. 5-seeded Birmingham (10-2) was limited to 176 yards and eight first downs. Scott Jensen completed only three of 14 passes for 55 yards, with three interceptions. The Patriots also lost three fumbles.

Carson (9-3), seeded No. 4, gained 430 yards, including 377 rushing, and led, 19-0, at halftime.

James Robinson ran for 189 yards and touchdowns covering three, 12, 16 and 23 yards. He scored on back-to-back possessions to open the second half, giving the Colts a 33-0 lead.

Kevin McCleary rushed for 108 yards in 18 carries and scored Birmingham’s only touchdown on a two-yard run late in the third quarter.

Running back Trevion Stephens scored on a 63-yard reverse on the next play from scrimmage to increase the Colts’ lead to 39-7.

Jensen was sacked five times for minus-26 yards and misfired on his first seven passes--the last of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown by defensive end Shep Edwards late in the second quarter.

A running clock was used for the last seven minutes.

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City Section

QUARTERFINALS

Wednesday’s

Results

City

Championship

Crenshaw 36

Taft 25

Carson 52

Birmingham 7

L.A. Banning 28

Granada Hills 21

San Pedro 24

Sylmar (2 OT) 17

City

Invitational

Gardena 29

San Fernando 19

Narbonne 21

Chatsworth 12

Fremont 42

Canoga Park 22

Roosevelt 41

Locke 14