City Section football playoffs: Can Birmingham Charter get back to the top?

After claiming three consecutive LA City Section Open Division championships from 2021 to 2023, Birmingham Charter faced an unexpected setback when Narbonne halted their run last season. That defeat ended Birmingham’s impressive 48-game winning streak, which had surpassed LA Wilson’s record of 39 straight City Section victories set back in 1978.

However, Narbonne’s triumph was short-lived. Soon after their title win, the team was forced to vacate its championship due to CIF violations involving ineligible players. As a result, all of Narbonne’s victories were forfeited, retroactively restoring Birmingham’s semifinal result as a win.

This year, the Patriots—led by coach Jim Rose—are once again among the top contenders for the Open Division crown. Entering the 2025 playoffs as the second seed, Birmingham now owns an unbroken streak of 54 consecutive wins against City Section opponents.

The Patriots will launch their postseason campaign at home against the No. 7 seed, the Cougars, who are making their first-ever Open Division appearance. The road to the championship game at LA Southwest College on November 29 looks promising, but also highly competitive.

Key Facts

Three consecutive Open Division titles (2021–2023)
Record 54 straight wins over City Section teams
Coach: Jim Rose
Next opponent: No. 7 Cougars
Championship game: November 29 at LA Southwest College

"Narbonne had to forfeit all its victories, which technically gave Birmingham a win instead of a loss in the semifinals."

Author’s Summary

Birmingham Charter, rebuilt under coach Jim Rose, enters the 2025 City Section playoffs aiming for redemption and extending their 54-game dominance streak.

Los Angeles Daily News — 2025-11-06