SWEET REVENGE TAFT ROUTS BIRMINGHAM, AVENGES LOSSES OF PAST 2 YEARS TAFT 30, BIRMINGHAM 6.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer All the frustration turned into fire. The disgust gave way to delight. For the first time in three years, Taft is a satisfied football team. Defense did it. The offensive firepower fire·pow·er n. 1. The capacity, as of a weapon, weapons system, military unit, or position, for delivering fire. 2. The ability to deliver fire against an enemy in combat. Noun 1. of Steve Smith, Cary Dove and company showed flashes, and the defense of Lance Broadus, Eddie Lewis and crew never wavered in the Toreadors' 30-6 victory over host Birmingham of Lake Balboa Balboa, town (1990 pop. 2,751), Colón prov., in the former Panama Canal Zone, on the Gulf of Panama. The port for Panama City, Balboa was the administrative headquarters of the Panama Canal Zone. It was also the site of a U.S. navy base (closed 1999). on Friday. Taft of Woodland Hills (10-0, 5-0) finished the regular season undefeated and wrapped up the West Valley League title and the No. 1 seed in the City Section playoffs. That's all nice. More importantly, the Toreadors finally beat Birmingham after losses to the Patriots haunted haunt v. haunt·ed, haunt·ing, haunts v.tr. 1. To inhabit, visit, or appear to in the form of a ghost or other supernatural being. 2. the talented team the past two years. ``Senior season is what counts,'' Taft wide receiver Noah Smith said. ``It's a big monkey monkey, any of a large and varied group of mammals of the primate order. The term monkey includes all primates that do not belong to the categories human, ape, or prosimian; however, monkeys do have certain common features. off our back, and to get it on their field is even sweeter. We don't have to listen to any more talking.'' The game began just as it had let off last year, with Birmingham running back Dennis Keyes running all over Taft. Keyes, who had 317 yards against Taft last season, had 45 yards on eight carries and scored from 2 yards out to give Birmingham a 6-0 lead. From then on, Birmingham (7-3, 4-1) got nothing. The Patriots had 80 yards on the first drive but only 6 more the rest of the half and 78 more in the game. ``Coach (Troy) Starr always emphasizes overcoming adversity ad·ver·si·ty n. pl. ad·ver·si·ties 1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2. A calamitous event. ,'' Taft receiver and cornerback cor·ner·back also corner back n. Football Either of two defensive halfbacks stationed a short distance behind the linebackers and relatively near the sidelines. Noun 1. Steve Smith said. ``That was real adversity. We weren't going to let it get away like the past two years.'' The turning point came near the end of the first quarter, after the Patriots got the ball back when Chad Green Chad Elton Green (Born: June 28, 1975 in Dunkirk, New York) is a former switch-hitting, righthanded minor league baseball player. An outfielder, he attended Mentor High School and then the University of Kentucky. intercepted Taft quarterback Cary Dove at the Birmingham 5-yard line. Taft linebacker Eddie Lewis burst through untouched on the blitz blitz n. 1. a. A blitzkrieg. b. A heavy aerial bombardment. 2. An intense campaign: a media blitz focused on young voters. 3. and sacked Birmingham quarterback Ryan Lombardo in the end zone for a safety. Noah Smith then quickly beat Green deep for a 56-yard gain to the Birmingham 10, leaving Dove to finish with a spinning 10-yard run up the middle to put Taft ahead 9-6. Birmingham never was heard from again. ``I was surprised,'' Birmingham coach Ed Croson said. ``They're better than we thought they'd be. Their defense is much better than the past two years. They've got some guys. They have one of the top track relay teams in the nation playing secondary, and they get to the ball quickly.'' Taft's defense was the obvious difference from the past two years, when Birmingham won 41-14 and 40-21. The Toreadors had allowed just seven points in four West Valley League games, but none of those were against a powerful offense like Birmingham. The Patriots were averaging 422.4 yards per game, second best in the area. Taft forced five turnovers and held Birmingham to 158 yards. ``Our linebackers weren't 100 percent healthy last year,'' Steve Smith said. ``They were more anxious than any of us to prove themselves. They showed what they can do. We knew we needed to stop their running game.'' In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , the key was stopping Keyes, who ended up with just 67 yards on 15 carries. Dove completed 18 of 25 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown. He ran for two more, including one on the last play of the first half that finished the Patriots. Taft scratched one revenge off their list but has another to go. The Toreadors want to win the City championship after losing the final in heartbreaking heart·break·ing adj. 1. Causing overwhelming grief or distress. 2. Producing a strong emotional reaction: heartbreaking loveliness. fashion last season. ``This isn't going to be the high point of our season,'' Starr said. ``We're determined. Our defense is going to carry us to the title.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Birmingham QB Ryan Lombardo is sacked by Taft's Eddie Miller Eddie Miller can refer to different people:
John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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