City Section football playoffs: Can Birmingham Charter get back to the top?
After three consecutive Open Division titles in the L.A. City Section playoffs, Birmingham Charter was stopped by Narbonne last year. From 2021 to 2023, Birmingham Charter won three straight LA City Section Open Division championships, solidifying its legacy.
The program not only claimed trophies but also set a record by breaking LA Wilson's 1978 City Section winning streak of 39 games. Birmingham extended this streak to 48 consecutive wins before Narbonne defeated them in last year’s Open Division semifinals, ending their hopes for a fourth straight City crown.
Narbonne, however, later had to vacate last year’s Open Division title due to CIF violations related to ineligible players. The team forfeited all victories, effectively reinstating Birmingham’s semifinal victory.
This season, under coach Jim Rose, the Patriots are once again strong Open Division contenders. The winning streak now stands at 54 straight victories over City teams.
Birmingham enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Open Division and appears likely to face a challenging matchup ahead. They begin their pursuit of the Open Division title with a home game, followed by a potential clash at LA Southwest College, where the final will be held on November 29.
The Cougars, making their first appearance in the Open Division, are part of a competitive playoff field alongside Birmingham in the race for the championship.
Summary
Birmingham Charter, a dominant force in L.A. City Section football, aims to reclaim its top spot after last year's disrupted streak, now strengthened by reinstated victories and a strong playoff position.