Undefeated Patriots Run Show, 43-12

Proving it’s a contender instead of a pretender, Birmingham High won its fourth consecutive game Thursday night, scoring on its first four possessions en route to a 43-12 victory over previously unbeaten San Fernando in a nonleague game in Van Nuys.

Tailback Kevin McCleary rushed for 221 yards in 14 carries and scored three touchdowns, and backup tailback D’Andre Sewell added 102 yards in 12 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Relying on precision execution, the Patriots (4-0) opened a 29-0 halftime lead. McCleary rushed for 111 yards in the first quarter.

San Fernando (3-1) had an excuse for its poor performance. Seven starters were held out because of injuries. But that didn’t explain an embarrassing series in the second quarter when San Fernando was called for illegal procedure penalties on four consecutive plays.

Under first-year Coach Ed Croson, Birmingham is in position to open the season 6-0. It plays Verdugo Hills (0-3) and El Camino Real (1-3) in the next two weeks before a showdown with West Valley League favorite Taft.

Croson has taken advantage of the Patriots’ speed.

McCleary, a 5-foot-8 junior, kept running away from defenders. Receiver Ramal Porter, a 400-meter runner, caught an 11-yard touchdown pass and had a 102-yard interception return nullified by a penalty.

Sophomore defensive end Dennis Keyes kept pressuring San Fernando quarterback Ruben Nevarez, who completed 14 of 28 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns to Ramon Perry.

“We finally played a pretty complete game,” Croson said. “I think it shows we can play football. San Fernando is respectable.”

There were some concerns for Birmingham. Quarterback Scott Jensen completed only seven of 18 passes for 72 yards. And the Patriots’ secondary left too many open receivers. Perry caught six passes for 122 yards.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

CITY SECTION

Birmingham 43, San Fernando 12

Canoga Park 30, Reseda 20

El Camino Real 18, Van Nuys 14

Granada Hills 28, Jefferson 14

Kennedy 27, Taft 22

L.A. Marshall 34, Poly 7

VENTURA COUNTY

Calabasas 34, Channel Islands 13

Newbury Park 26, Moorpark 7

Oxnard 20, San Marcos 14

Rio Mesa 21, Simi Valley 8

Royal 41, Agoura 25

Santa Paula 12, Oak Park 3

Westlake 49, Thousand Oaks 0

SOUTHERN SECTION

Burroughs 63, Glendale 7

Canyon 20, Highland 13

Hart 35, Palmdale 9

Nordhoff 41, Harvard-Westlake 29

Quartz Hill 10, Saugus 9

Village Christian 37, Brentwood 0

More Sports Scores, D15