Taft Runs Over Birmingham, Ties for Title

The touchdown was merely insurance, but the moment put an indelible imprint on Taft High’s 42-14 victory over Birmingham on Friday night.

Early in the fourth quarter, Taft’s Sedric Hurns broke into the open field with only defensive back Demetrus Patterson standing between him and the end zone.

Instead of darting to the left or right, Hurns bowled over Patterson to complete a 24-yard run and give Taft an insurmountable lead in the Northwest Valley Conference game at Taft High.

Knocked to the ground, Patterson was woozy for several minutes before wobbling to the sideline. He did not return.

“He had scored earlier and as soon as I saw [Patterson] standing there I had to go for it,” said Hurns, who had 44 yards in 11 carries.

With the victory Taft (7-0, 5-0) clinched a tie for the conference title. A victory over either Chatsworth or El Camino Real gives Taft its fourth outright title in the last five years.

Birmingham (6-2, 3-2) had emerged as the top challenger to Taft, but the Braves were powerless to stop Taft’s offense, especially the passing game.

With the Braves geared to stop the run, Taft quarterback Steve Alvarado completed 19 of 29 passes for a career-high 318 yards and three touchdowns. After being held to 11 yards in the first quarter, tailback Marquis Brignac finished with 161 in 26 carries and two touchdowns.

Taft was potent offensively the entire game, rolling up 530 yards. It could have been worse for the Braves.

The Toreadors had a 10-yard touchdown run by Brignac nullified by a clipping penalty in the first quarter.

Wide receiver Dominic Early dropped three long passes. Early still finished with 112 yards in seven receptions.

Lawrence Wallace had six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns for Taft.