BIRMINGHAM IS COLISEUM-BOUND DEFENSE KEYS SEMIFINAL VICTORY BIRMINGHAM 21, NARBONNE 0.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

GARDENA - It made no difference which of Narbonne High of Harbor City's three talented tailbacks ran the ball Friday night, because the pattern remained the same. A handoff, followed by two or three hopeful strides, then a punishing tackle by Byron Bullock or Luke Laolagi.

Bullock and Laolagi, both senior linebackers, led a tremendous defensive effort as seventh-seeded Birmingham of Lake Balboa advanced to the City Section championship game with a 21-0 victory over sixth-seeded Narbonne in a semifinal at Gardena High.

The Patriots (9-4), who will face Dorsey of Los Angeles next Friday at the Coliseum, stifled the Gauchos' running attack, which was considered one of the best in the section.

Narbonne tailbacks Travon Titus (eight carries, 30 yards), Major Culbert (nine carries, 19 yards) and Marquis Delgado (six carries, 17 yards) had combined 344 yards rushing two weeks earlier against Chatsworth, but Birmingham held the Gauchos' offense to 139 total yards.

Narbonne (10-3) built its success this season around sweeps and misdirection runs, but Bullock, Laolagi and the rest of the Patriots' defense limited the ability of the Gauchos' backs to find open field.

Only two teams had held Narbonne to fewer than 20 points this season, and none fewer than 13 points.

``We tried to contain the outside and force them back inside,'' said Laolagi, who intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter. ``We were running free and finding room to make tackles. We knew that if we could get to them early, they would fold.''

It wasn't quite that easy. Birmingham led only 7-0 until Brian Stuart scored on an 11-yard run with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Narbonne drove to the Birmingham 12 midway through the fourth quarter but turned the ball over on downs, ending its chances.

Birmingham's third score came on a 75-yard pass from Andrew Miramontes to Corey Anderson with four minutes remaining. Anderson caught six passes for 180 yards, and Birmingham, which started this season with losses to Southern Section powers Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and Valencia, will play for its second title in three years.

``It feels great,'' Laolagi said. ``We knew playing a strong nonleague schedule would pay off.''

Birmingham avenged its loss to Narbonne in the first round last year, and familiarity clearly paid off for the Patriots, who didn't appear surprised by anything Narbonne's offense tried.

With their running game stifled, the Gauchos turned to the pass, but quarterback Lamont Long completed only 6 of 16 attempts for 61 yards and threw two interceptions.

Birmingham, no doubt knowing that pass defense had been a weakness for Narbonne, came out throwing. Although Miramontes completed a 35-yard pass on the first drive, the passing game didn't thrive. Miramontes completed 7 of 17 attempts for 215 yards and one interception.

After the Patriots took a 7-0 lead on a 35-yard pass from Miramontes to Anderson, they turned to the rushing attack with greater success. Stuart (18 carries, 82 yards) and freshman Milton Knox (12 carries, 78 yards) carried the load for the Patriots, who attempted only three passes in the second half.

Narbonne had an opportunity to tie the score late in the second quarter and take some momentum into halftime, marching to the Birmingham 23. They were stalled by a holding penalty, and on third down Long's pass was intercepted by Anderson.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

Photo:

Andrew Miramontes (6) gets a pass off before he is hit by Nar bonne defenders during Birmingham's City Section semifinal victory on Friday.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News