HS FOOTBALL: Birmingham lightening its load

Since winning the 2007 City Section Div. I championship, Birmingham has had a difficult time dealing with tough nonleague opponents, winning just two of 15 nonleague games heading into this season.

The Patriots have finally eased back with some more manageable nonleague games this season. After opening Friday with a 49-16 win over West Adams Prep, Birmingham plays Belmont and Grant over the next two games, a big difference compared to last season when the Patriots played Corona Centennial and Valencia in the second and third games of the season.

"I think last year against Corona Centennial, we had four or five guys that got injured, and all of them were lost for the season. It was all downhill after that," Birmingham coach Jim Rose said.

In the win over West Adams, junior Issiah Hastings rushed for 111 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns, including an 84-yard kick return.

"We knew Issiah was going to be good. We just weren't sure how good," Rose said.