Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.
SUN RANKINGS
1. Bishop Gorman
2. Western
3. Durango
4. Sierra Vista
5. Bonanza
6. Spring Valley
7. Clark
2004 RECAP
Bishop Gorman (7-2, 5-0) Lost in Sunset semifinals to Cheyenne
Bonanza (6-4, 4-1) Lost in Sunset semifinals to Palo Verde
Sierra Vista (7-3, 3-2) Lost in Sunrise quarterfinals to Cheyenne
Western (3-7, 2-3) Lost in Sunset quarterfinals to Palo Verde
Durango (1-8, 1-4)
Clark (0-9, 0-5)
Spring Valley (0-9, independent)
PAST STATE CHAMPIONS
Bishop Gorman -- 6; 1983, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1974, 1970.
Bonanza -- None.
Clark -- 4; 1993, 1972, 1971, 1968.
Durango -- None.
Sierra Vista -- None.
Spring Valley -- None.
Western -- 6; 1996, 1976, 1975, 1966, 1965, 1964.
RETURNING ALL-STATE PLAYERS
David Hammond, second team, middle linebacker, senior, Bishop Gorman
DeAngelo Wilkinson, honorable mention, cornerback, senior, Bishop Gorman
It's impossible to describe DeMarco Murray without using the word "potential."
From his sophomore season at Bishop Gorman, when he did a backflip into the end zone to avoid a tackle in a win at Durango, to his junior year, when he ran for 1,271 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games, Murray has shown flashes of brilliance that have attracted the attention of the biggest names in college football.
He speaks casually and calmly about the schools that are entering the home stretch of the recruiting season.
"Probably Oklahoma, USC or Florida," he said. "I'm hearing from South Carolina, they've also got an opportunity right now. I'm talking to Coach Spurrier -- they're getting things started a little late but I'm giving them a shot right now."
But for all his promise, Murray has been unable to capture the biggest prize -- a state championship.
In 2003, the Gaels were defeated by Cheyenne in the first round of the playoffs, a game that was marred by a brawl that broke out when the teams were supposed to shake hands.
Last year, Murray and Bishop Gorman met Cheyenne again, then in the Sunset Region semifinals. The Gaels suffered an even more heartbreaking defeat, losing 17-14 in two overtimes to the Desert Shield. Murray fumbled the ball on the 2 in the second overtime, and Cheyenne kicked a field goal to secure the win.
There's no question which loss was tougher.
"Last year because I thought we had a better team. Last year we could have beaten any team -- Palo, Vegas," Murray said. "Last year was our year to win. I'm sure after watching that Saturday game we could have beaten Palo. I just thought it was a harder game and I knew we should have won state last year."
Murray's coach, David White, agreed the 2004 defeat was the toughest.
"I know he cried a lot more after the fumble," White said. "He took a lot of weight, he felt like it was all his fault. We talked about it. It's not just one person. Ryan (Reynolds) thought because he didn't make a tackle, he thought it was his fault.
"He puts a lot of pressure on himself to be what everybody thinks he's going to be. I tell him to go out and have fun and play his own game."
Reynolds, now a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, came out of Bishop Gorman as one of the top-rated linebackers in the country. Watching Reynolds live under the spotlight gave Murray a chance to get set for his turn center stage.
"I learned a lot. Just take your time, make the best decision for myself. I have all the time right now," he said. "I take my business carefully, my academics, my coaching staff. I need to make the best decision for myself."
The recruitment and the challenges of years past have forced Murray to move past immaturity that at times hurt the Gaels' star running back.
"It's made him grow up a lot quicker than he really wanted to and any average high school kid would," White said. "He went through a lot. Any high school athlete coming in, going to Bishop Gorman academically, he got the incident after the game, it set him back personally and mentally. He realized he's got a chance to get out of here and redeem himself, to prove he's a good kid, a good player. He's grown up quite a bit."
Murray was also a guard for the Gaels' basketball team, which won the state championship in February.
"It gave me a taste," he said of the title run. "Winning state last year was a great feeling, the best feeling in the world. It'd be more of a great feeling to win this here in football. This is my life, this is what I live for."
And, White said, Murray has realized that he doesn't have to carry the load himself to get into December's championship.
"I'm thankful for USC and Reggie Bush, where it's cool right now to be a slot guy and a receiver and a running back," White said. "Before, he was 'I want the ball. I want the ball.' He's having fun playing it instead of being selfish, which is the key. You've got to have fun out there."
And instead of being the anchor, Murray has stepped up to become the leader.
archive
