By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
LOS ANGELES - Longtime supporters of the Los Angeles City Section showed up in full force at the Memorial Coliseum Friday night to cheer on one of their own.
The Birmingham of Lake Balboa Patriots are not only one of the City's most talented and balanced teams in decades, they maintained, but also deserve a shot to play in next week's CIF State Bowl Championships.
Following Birmingham's 41-6 triumph over an improved Carson team before about 5,000 fans, one opinion was more than solidified.
"We're ready for another game," Birmingham coach Ed Croson said after his team's second straight, third in four years and fourth City title in six years. "No one is playing as well as we are right now. We'd really like a shot at De La Salle."
The ones to make that decision are the 10 commissioners of the California Interscholastic Federation, who on Sunday will gather to choose the top three section champions from Southern and Northern California in three classification.
Birmingham, ranked between 15 and 48th nationally, will undoubtedly be one of two considered for the Division I Southern California spot, along with Southern Section's Centennial-Corona, another nationally-ranked squad. Centennial must beat Santiago-Corona in today's Inland Champonship to qualify.
The Patriots (13-1) will certainly bring the commissioners loads of concrete data after outscoring four playoff opponents 193-19. Winners of 13 straight, they've outscored foes 594-113 and have allowed just 41 points over their final nine games.
They have a premier running back, a proven coach, speed to burn, college players abound and one of the country's top defenses. They're good. But are they good enough to be selected?
"I think it's an honor just to be considered among the top two," Birmingham 6-1, 215-pound linebacker Donovan Carter, who has committed to UCLA. "It's out of our hands, but frankly I think we can beat anyone in the country."
What the Patriots (13-1) showed in the second and third quarters, Carter may not be far off.
Following a sluggish and scoreless first quarter, Birmingham rattled off 41 points in a matter of 15 minutes and 27 seconds.
As usual, the indomitable Milton Knox was in the middle of most the fray. Much of his 180 yards rushing on 20 carries and all of his three touchdowns, of 3, 9 and 89 yards came during the flurry.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound bowling ball of a runner now has 103 touchdowns and more than 6,600 yards rushing in his prep career.
Next year he'll play at UCLA.
"Right now I'm kind of speechless," he said. "Hopefully with a lot of prayers and wishes we'll get in. This team deserves it. I think tonight we stated our case."
It wasn't just the Knox show. Not by a long shot.
After bending some in the first quarter, Birmingham's defense, considered its strength, completely clamped down on the vastly-improved Colts (11-3), allowing just 122 yards and sacking Washington-bound quarterback Dominique Blackman five times.
Birmingham's gifted 6-5, 230-pound twin defensive ends Marquis and Malik Jackson, combined on the five sacks and each made tackles on fourth down to halt drives in the first quarter.
In fact, Carson had the ball 18 of the 26 plays in the first quarter, when it accounted for 62 yards. Another 42 came on the Colts' final possession of the game when they scored on a 27-yard pass to Morrell Presley with 29 seconds left.
Other than those three drives, Birmingham allowed 18 yards.
"We wanted the shutout but that's all right," Carter said. "We got the win and we got the championship. Now we just want another game."
The Patriots had much more to offer.
Quarterback Exavier Johnson, a lean and swift 6-3, 205-pounder, showed an accurate arm and nice touch, completing 7 of 9 for 164 yards including a pretty 42-yard touchdown drop in the bucket of fleet junior DeVon Flournoy (four catches, 87 yards).
Johnson also had a pretty toss of 45 yards to Kyle Lard (2-77) to set up the game's first score, a 3-yard Knox run, and consecutive pinpoint completions of 32 and 34 yards to Lard and Flournoy, respectively, leading to a 13-yard TD strike from junior backup quarterback Morey Croson to tight end Mychal Rivera, making it 28-0 at halftime.
The 6-4, 230-pound Rivera has committed to Oregon.
"I could name contributions all over the field," coach Croson said. "I think it's pretty incredible when you're naming players who stood out and the first guy you mention isn't named Milton Knox. I think that says something."
Birmingham's special teams even got in the mix as senior Matt Robertson returned the second half kickoff 89 yards for another score.
"This team is just real good," Carter said. "It's as simple as that."
Carson coach Michael Christensen agreed. His team was after its 13th City title but firs since 2003.
"They definitely have all the pieces," he said. "Should they go to the state game? I don't know. I haven't seen the other teams and glad I don't have to make that decision. But I know they'd be a worthy and represent the City well."
Even if the Patriots aren't selected, the team has left a legacy. Up to 10 players figure to play Division I college football.
"When we all came in as freshman we told ourselves that we wanted to be a class that is remembered for a very long time," Knox said. "I think we've made a big mark. I think we've given the younger players something to strive for."
No debate there.
Garfield 28, University 23: In the Los Angeles City Invitational game also played at the Coliseum, defensive back Lanny Delgado broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone with 1:02 remaining preserving Garfield's victory. Garfield took a safety in the final seconds to account for the final points.
Garfield broke a 21-21 tie when Franky Diaz scored on a 48-yard touchdown run with 4:54 left in the third quarter. University had just tied the score 21-21 a minute earlier on a 71-yard kickoff return by Trayon Harris. It was only Garfield's second football title of any kind. It won a 2A championship in 1981.
E-mail Mitch Stephens@maxpreps.com
More Section football results from throughout the state on Friday:
NORTH COAST SECTION
2A Championship
Novato 34, Las Lomas-Walnut Creek 21
After falling behind 14-0, Novato (13-0) scored 34 of the game's final 41 points to win its 25th consecutive game and become a legitimate contender in the Northern California Division II Bowl race. Jose Mendez rushed for 220 yards and a touchdown and junior quarterback Jeff Stephens overcame a slow start to throw for 140 yards and one touchdown, run for a 38-yard score and lead an offense that accounted for 442 yards.
SAN DIEGO SECTION
Division I Championship
Poway 21, Rancho Buena Vista 7
Poway moved into the Division I Bowl Game picture as Nick Ricciardulli rushed for 137 yards and the Titans (12-0) scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to win their first title.
Division II Championship
Oceanside 26, Mission Hills 7
Armani Taylor rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown and junior quarterback Jordan Wynn passed for 238 yards and two scores and Oceanside won its fourth straight section title and eighth overall. Oceanside (11-1) just needs a loss by Crespi against Long Beach Poly in Saturday's Southern Section Pac-5 finals to have a good shot at representing Southern California in the Division II Bowl Game.
Division III Championship
Cathedral Catholic 41, Point Loma 3
Nick Russell fired four touchdown passes, two to Parker Hipp, as Cathedral Catholic rolled to an easy win.
Division V Championship
Bishop's 17, Christian 7
Tim Costello scored a touchdown, two-point conversion, kicked a field goal and added an interception as Bishop's finished the season at a perfect 12-0.
SOUTHERN SECTION
Western Division Championship
St. Paul 42, Palmdale 14
Aubrey Haynes rushed for 188 yards including touchdowns of 30, 57, 4 and 13 yards as St. Paul, once a CIF power, won its first section crown since 1981.
Southwest Division Championship
El Dorado 13, Trabuco Hills 12
Quarterback Kane Wilson kept the ball for a tying touchdown with 30 seconds left and Chase Lansford added the deciding extra point.
Southwest Division Championship
La Habra 16, Fullerton 6
Ronnie Hillman rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown and the La Habra defense Michael Allain, the Freeway League's top rusher, to 77 yards rushing on 19 carries. La Habra (13-0) won its first section title since 1984 and outscored four playoff opponents 174-27.
Northwest Division Championship
Oaks Christian-Westlake Village 52, Nordhoff 7
Malcolm Jones rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns as Oaks Christian, the defending state Division III champion, became only the second Southern Section team ever to win five consecutive section titles. If Hart-Newhall beats St. Bonaventure-Ventura in today's game, then Oaks Christian likely will get to defend its title.
Southern Division
Cypress 36, Pacifica 30
Ryan Saumur had three second-half touchdown runs and returned a fumble for another score with 3:18 remaining as Cypress fought back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to win.
Reports from the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle and San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this story.