BIRMINGHAM BELIEVES FIRST-YEAR PATRIOTS COACH CROSON HAS TEAM THINKING BIG BIRMINGHAM 41, TAFT 14.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

The end of Birmingham High's cute little feel-good story was supposed to run its course Friday night.

That's when Taft of Woodland Hills, with all its history and dominance, would end the Patriots' six-game winning streak and all that talk about how new Birmingham coach Ed Croson fooled a bunch of players who won three games the last two years into believing they could take on the best City Section teams in the region.

As it turns out, Friday wasn't the end of anything at all. In fact it might just be the beginning.

Of what is anyone's guess - or dream. To predict what happens next would be as foolish as trying to comprehend the Patriots' 41-14 dismantling of the Toreadors in an utterly convincing West Valley League victory at Birmingham.

It's obvious now that conventional wisdom no longer applies to Birmingham, even though the Patriots (7-0, 2-0) have a clear vision of where all this is headed.

``We're going to the (City Section final),'' Birmingham's John Walker said. ``We're Cinderella baby, we're headed to the ball.''

Said the Patriots' Kevin McCleary, who had 189 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries: ``We're taking this to the Coliseum.''

In case you forgot, that's where the City Section championship game is played.

Taft certainly isn't about to argue. Not after the Patriots bullied the Toreadors (5-2, 1-1) throughout, starting the game off with a 21-play, 61-yard drive that wiped off nearly eight minutes and resulted in McCleary's 2-yard touchdown.

Birmingham, which is 7-0 for the first time in nine years, wasn't fancy on the drive. It simply lined up in its goal-line offense then pounded Taft with 21 straight running plays.

``We just wanted to get physical with them, be tough and aggressive,'' McCleary said.

That set a tone for Birmingham's defense in addition to the offense. Taft's Lee Marks was limited to 29 yards rushing, and the Patriot's defense also intercepted Rick Clausen four times and forced a fumble. The Toreadors' only two touchdowns came late in the game against reserves.

Offensively, the Patriots were basic but efficient, getting 122 yards passing from Scott Jensen, touchdown catches from Chris Meyerson and Ramal Porter and scoring runs from McCleary, Israel Diaz and Dennis Keyes.

``We were just going to run goal-line that first series but it worked so well we stuck with it,'' said Croson, who came over to Birmingham from Chaminade of West Hills this year. ``We knew we were tougher than Taft and we showed that.''

Birmingham hasn't won a City Title since 1963, but already there's talk the Patriots can make a serious run. Three weeks ago that would have been fool's talk. Even two days ago it would have been absurd to think they were anything more than a nice little team on an innocent role.

But the way Birmingham manhandled Taft changes everything.

``We have an uncanny coaching staff and great talented players,'' Walker said. ``Our coach has found the potential we've always had. They have the key and they unlocked it.''

Walker was all over the field, especially on defense where he helped shut down Taft's potent passing game. Clausen finished with 276 yards through the air, but he was mostly harmless. Walker, who is headed to USC, stayed with Toreadors super sophomore Steve Smith, keeping him to five catches for 76 yards with no touchdowns.

``This whole week we've been thinking about nothing but Taft,'' said Porter, who had two catches for 43 yards. ``We came out, concentrated and did what we had to do. Now I'm looking for the Coliseum, that's what I'm looking for.''

Croson would not go that far, but even he is beginning to believe something special is unfolding.

``We're just taking it one game at a time, just one game at a time.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Taft receiver Chris Norgan has the ball bounce off his hands during the Toreadors' 41-14 loss.

(2) Birmingham running back Kevin McCleary, middle, is pulled down by two Taft defenders. Birmingham won 41-14

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News