Birmingham, Don’t Just “Show Up” against Poly

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I’m expecting a good showing by Birmingham on Friday when it hosts Long Beach Poly. But I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen.

Poly, which traveled to Ohio last Saturday and defeated Cleveland Glenville 21-13, is primed to produce bigger offensive numbers than 122 yards rushing and 79 yards passing. For one thing, the Jackrabbits won’t be fighting jet lag. And it’s become almost commonplace for Southern Section teams to overpower City teams in these intersectional meetings.

Butit would be great if Birmingham remembers the 46-8 pounding it absorbed from Poly last year at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach and wants payback. Or if running back Milton Knox has the kind of running room he found against Crespi, against whom he totaled 160 yards in 30 carries.

Just as important, I want to see Birmingham -- or any City team for that matter -- win a game they are not supposed to.

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking for a City team to make it to one of the state bowl games in December. The Southern Section has more schools with greater resources (specifically money) and a wider talent pool -- the odds aren’t just stacked in its favor, they’re set in concrete.

But when a City team plays a schedule like Birmingham’s -- the Barons face nonleague foes Crespi, Poly, Valencia, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Dorsey -- I’d like to see it rewarded with something besides getting toughened for the playoffs.

Of course, you have to do more that play a tough schedule. You have to win.

The metaphor belongs to another sport, but in this case it fits: Birmingham, don’t just swing for the fences against Poly on Friday, hit the long ball!

- Mike Terry