The BCCHS Varsity Football team’s first playoff game was one for the books that was full of excitement and school spirit. The game was very fun to watch and it ended in a close score of 26-21 with the Patriots winning the game. With that victory the Patriots moved forward into the second round of playoffs and will play Arleta on Friday, November 20.

The first quarter of the game was all about Birmingham, scoring a touchdown along with a two point conversion and not allowing Palisades to score any points gave them an 8-0 lead to start off the game. Birmingham continued using their strong offense by scoring another touchdown in the second quarter giving them a 14-0 lead. Palisades knew that they needed to get something going in the second quarter and they did by scoring a touchdown off of a fumble recovery and making a successful PAT kick changing the score to 14-7. The Patriots entered halftime with a 14-7 lead.

The Patriots knew that they needed to expand their lead in order to seal the victory. The team tried to extend the lead in the third quarter and had a very strong drive going that led them into the red zone, but the drive was stopped by flags and the team was unable to convert on downs. The defense was able to hold off Palisades and the score at the end of the third quarter was the same score it began with–the Patriots leading 14-7.

The fourth quarter was the time when Palisades knew they needed to put up more points in order to advance into the next week of playoffs. Palisades had a strong drive going late into the fourth quarter and scored a touchdown along with a two point conversion which gave them a 15-14 lead with 4:47 left in the game. The Patriots knew they needed to score on their next drive and their special teams scored even before the offense had a chance to. On the kickoff return following the Palisades touchdown, Erick Flowers (15) returned a 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown which changed the score to 20-15 and regained the lead for the Patriots. Palisades received the ball after the touchdown and put up desperately needed points. Palisades scored a 32 yard touchdown pass making the score 21-20 with 1:34 left in the game. Things were not looking good for the Patriots, but special teams came in clutch once again with a 62-yard kickoff return by Tylin Scott (4). This kickoff return gave the Patriots’ offense great field position and they took advantage of it. The strong offense of the Patriots marched to the goal line because a 29 yard pass set up first and goal. Birmingham’s star running back, Sterling Salguero (8) was handed the ball on the goal line and ran it in for a touchdown giving the Patriots a 26-21 lead with 20 seconds left. Palisades received the ball, but couldn’t score with the time given and the Patriots won the game 26-21. The crowd erupted with excitement over the team’s victory and ran onto the field.