... Forget what i said about a long practice on Thursday. The team did it's normal Thursday walk-thru today and was out of there by 320, even though the City Section had lifted its ban of after-school practice (poor air quality).

Some would interpret this as a sign of hubris. But at this point in the season, with everyone nursing injuries and a two-straight blowout wins, the light week may actually be a good thing.

This week's opponent, Granada Hills, is a good team, especially now that WR/DB Rene Howard is suiting up. Howard went to Birmingham two years ago and assistant coach Jim Rose remembers him well.

``He's a man,'' Rose said. ``If he puts it all together, he can be an NFL guy.''

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 1:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So just how early does the recruiting game start for star football players now a days?

Birmingham coach Ed Croson said that star running back Milton Knox started getting noticed as a freshman and by his sophomore year, everyone was interested.

The two up-and-coming players Croson is talking with colleges about are junior wide receiver De'Von Flournoy and sophomore running back Trajuan Briggs.

Flournoy, you know about. And so does every college in the Pac-10.

Briggs, you probably don't because he plays behind Milton Knox. But if he went to any other school, you would. He'd be starting and starring even as a sophomore. Even now, it's hard for Croson to keep Briggs off the field. Like Knox, he looks like a college junior physically. Strong, fast and tough. He's even a little bigger than Milton.

Knox seems to have taken him under his wing. He's always giving him tips and correcting his mistakes. And Croson isn't afraid to use him in big situations. It was Briggs, not Knox who ran out the clock at the end of the Long Beach Poly game. Granted, the score was 20-7, but not many coaches would've put that much faith in a young player in such a big spot.

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wide receiver Corey Falls is the player on the team most affected by the fires. Falls lives in Lancaster and commutes along the 14 freeway every day to get to school. I was worried about him driving through the fire zone, and curious to what it looked like, since you can see the Buckweed Fire from the 14 freeway, but Falls couldn't really provide too many details.

``I pretty much just sleep the whole way,'' he said, laughing. ``My mom drives, I sleep.''

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 1:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the third straight day, the City Section prohibited all after-school outdoor activity due to poor air quality.

The wind died down today, so hopefully everyone will be able to practice.

The team ran through a few drills during sixth period from 2-305, but by the time everyone gets pads and cleats on, there's really only time for walk-throughs.

Thursday, is normally a walk-thru day, but considering everyone has been so limited this week, expect it to be a long practice...

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 1:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Birmingham didn't play a game this week, but the Patriots are likely to move up in the state bowl game rankings next week.

Corona Centennial had been ranked No. 1, but it lost to Mater Dei this week and will likely drop. Hart (5-0) will likely go to No. 1, with Carlsbad (5-0) of San Diego No. 2. That means Birmingham moves up to No. 3.

It's still a longshot though.

If Hart wins out, it'll likely get the bowl bid. But the Foothill League is really tough this year, and the Northern Divison is treacherous. Carlsbad has an easier road, but just being undefeated may not be enough for a bowl berth for a San Diego Section team.

You also can't forget about Corona Centennial. It could win out and still get the bowl berth, by virtue of its win over Crespi. Birmingham lost to Crespi in Week Zero.

Still, Birminghams win over Notre Dame got a lot more impressive when ND beat Servite on Friday.

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 1:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It was supposed to be an easy week for Birmingham. No game Friday, a week to rest, Saturday morning off. But when I went out to the field this week, I found coach Ed Croson a bit bleary-eyed.

``What's up coach? No offense, but you look a little tired,'' I said. ``This is supposed to be your off week.''

Croson, in typical all-business fashion, said, ``I don't really get any time off until January.''

Later in the week, I called coach at home.

``Is this a good time?'' I asked.

``Yeah, sure. I'm just watching tape of Chatsworth,'' he said.

``That game's not til next Friday,'' I said.

``Yeah, this is the third game tape I've watched of theirs,'' he said, in all seriousness.

...

No wonder there is a very well-used cot in his coaches' office.

Posted by Ramona Shelburne at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)