HS: Wow, Valencia leads Birmingham by 40 at halftime

It's no contest here at Birmingham High between the Patriots and the visiting Valencia Vikings.

Valencia has jumped to a 40-0 lead in the first half while amassing 415 yards, as Alex Bishop completed 11 of 17 for 262 yards and two touchdowns, and Steven Manfro has rushed for 153 yards on 10 carries with three receptions and four touchdowns.

Birmingham managed just two first downs in the first half, losing a fumble on its first drive that was soon converted into a touchdown, as Valencia scored on a four-play, 52-yard drive culminating with Manfro's 2-yard touchdown.

Birmingham went three-and-out, and Valencia followed with a 60-yard drive on six plays, including two Bishop completions for 16 yards and three Manfro runs for 44 yards including a 25-yard touchdown.

Birmingham again went three-and-out, and this time it took Valencia just one play to score on a 55-yard pass from Bishop to Jake Reed.

On its next possession, Valencia scored on Manfro's 48-yard run. He added a 6-yard touchdown run two series later, and Valencia scored its sixth touchdown of the half a short time later on a 26-yard pass from Bishop to Matt Nyberg to make it 40-0.

Valencia held Birmingham to 68 yards in the first half while forcing two turnovers and sacking Adrian Mora three times.

Mora was 3 of 12 for 38 yards in the first half.

-- Gerry Gittelson