Gaels take hard stance

Ray Brewer

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997 | 10:59 a.m.

New division: Southwest, Sunset Division

Last year: 5-4

Coach: Mike Brascia

Four to watch

If the Gaels do that, Brascia will be satisfied.

"I really want them to play hard," Brascia said. "We have no goals except to be competitive in every game."

Last year, Gorman tied Durango for fourth place in the Sunset Division and the final playoff berth with a 5-4 record. Durango edged the Gaels for the spot on a tie-breaker formula.

This season, Brascia and Gorman don't want to leave anything -- including their playoff aspirations -- to chance.

"We play against all the good teams in the city," Brascia said. "We know we can compete with those people."

The 1997 Gorman edition is full of new players as the Gaels had to replace starters in most positions.

The group of athletes that return, however, appears to be strong.

Gorman has four starters back on the defense in linebacker Steve Noahr (5-11, 200), guard Curt Selser (5-11, 225) defensive back Mo Terry and Steve Fiasco (5-11, 225), who was the team's second-leading tackler last season.

Newcomer Yanek Boka, a 6-1, 300-pound junior and Luke Jackson (6-5, 215) will play crucial roles on the defensive line.

Gorman's youth is more evident on offense, where juniors Joe Stuebing and Dan Angel are battling for the quarterback job. Returning for his second year of varsity competition is junior running back Nick Didier (5-10, 175).

Brascia credits the Gaels' off-season program for helping get the kids into shape.

"The off-season conditioning program is what gets us through the season," he said. "That is something I tried to instill when I got here. It wasn't consistent."

Gorman is part of the new Southwest Conference of the Sunset Division.

Colors: Blue and burnt orange

New division: Southwest, Sunset Division

Last year: 5-4

Coach: Mike Brascia

Four to watch

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