Birmingham Wins Race, 46-41

After the two teams combined for nine touchdown passes, 865 yards in total offense, eight turnovers and five lead changes, Van Nuys Birmingham High was grateful to escape with a 46-41 victory over San Fernando Friday night.

“I needed one more minute,” San Fernando assistant coach Tom Hernandez said after receiver Ramon Perry was tackled on the Birmingham 40-yard line as time expired.

Quarterback Scott Jensen of Birmingham threw four touchdown passes, giving him 12 in three games. He completed nine of 19 passes for 195 yards. Dennis Keyes rushed for 129 yards in nine carries.

Quarterback Ruben Nevarez of San Fernando completed 14 of 29 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Perry, an All-City senior receiver, caught nine passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

Two botched punts in the second half proved costly for San Fernando (2-1). Eddie Tello’s blocked punt and recovery in the end zone for a touchdown gave Birmingham (3-0) a 38-28 lead. Another bobbled punt set up Jensen’s one-yard touchdown run with 5:45 left. San Fernando held a 28-22 halftime lead after a wild half in which the two teams combined for 546 yards in total offense. There were six touchdown passes, five fumbles, two interceptions and four lead changes, the last coming when Perry caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nevarez with 20 seconds left.

Birmingham’s defense was left with gaping holes after injuries on the first play of the game sent its two starting linebackers, Eric Ochoa and Anthony Borbon, to the sideline. San Fernando lost both of its starting running backs to injuries in the second half.