CITY CHAMPIONSHIP: A BIRMINGHAM BLITZ ERROR-PRONE GRANT OVERMATCHED AGAINST NO. 6 SEED BIRMINGHAM 63, GRANT 14.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Grant's only chance to beat Birmingham was to play a mistake-free game. The Lancers couldn't even play a mistake-free minute.

Birmingham of Lake Balboa linebacker Alex Martinez blitzed on the first play from scrimmage to put pressure on Grant of Van Nuys quarterback Dashawn Smith and force a bad throw that was intercepted by Luke Laolagi at the Grant 11.

Three plays later, Birmingham running back Dennis Keyes scored the first of his four first-half touchdowns from 2 yards out and the rout was on as the host Patriots won the first- round City Section City Bracket playoff game 63-14.

It got worse from there for Grant. On the following kickoff, Birmingham's squib kick went off the leg of a Grant player and was recovered by Laolagi. Birmingham missed a field-goal attempt but quickly got the ball back when Martinez and Laolagi paired again to tackle Grant punter Dmitry Afanasyev at the Grant 2 before he got the kick off. Keyes followed with another 2-yard run.

``We felt like we had a chance if we made a few plays and didn't make any mistakes,'' Grant coach Bill Foster said. ``Obviously, we didn't do that, and we couldn't recover.''

Birmingham (8-3), seeded No. 6, came out angry after getting blown out in its rivalry game with Taft of Woodland Hills the previous week, costing the Patriots the West Valley League title and possibly the top seed in the playoffs.

Now Birmingham hopes to do what Taft did last year: respond from the loss to reach the City final.

``We definitely had something to prove after last week,'' Keyes said. ``We didn't play anywhere near our capability against Taft. We needed to show that we can still contend for the City title.''

Keyes, held to fewer than 80 yards by Taft last week, rushed for 155 yards in the first half as Birmingham took a 42-7 lead into the locker room. He rested on offense in the second half.

Birmingham quarterback Ryan Lombardo competed 6 of 13 passes for 229 yards, including touchdowns of 67 and 60 yards to Chad Green and 60 yards to Bennie Ward in only three quarters of play. Green had 147 yards on three catches.

Grant (8-3), seeded 11th after winning the Sunset Six League, had one bright spot in the play of running back Anthony Dickson. Near the end of the first quarter, he took a handoff, spun away from a Birmingham defender and raced 83 yards along the left sideline for a touchdown.

Grant quarterback Dashawn Smith completed 9 of 24 passes for 82 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown to Danny Ruiz, but also threw three interceptions.

Birmingham outgained Grant 482-206. The Patriots are the City Section's leader in yards per game but were held to just 153 against Taft.

``We're still dangerous,'' Keyes said. ``As long as we stay mentally and physically composed, I don't think anyone will beat us.''

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It was a rough night for Grant quarterback Dashawn Smith and the Lancers against Birmingham on Thursday.

Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News