Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Bishop Gorman eyes state title

Football Playoff Preview

Steve Silver / Photo Illustration

Clockwise, from left: Bishop Gorman’s Kawika Antolin, Basic’s Robby Faiman, Las Vegas’ Reggie Bullock and Palo Verde’s Chaz Thomas will begin their quest for a state football title on Friday night for their respective top-seeded teams.

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Bishop Gorman's football team has become more potent offensively since late August.

Entering the season, it appeared the most likely thing that would stop the Gaels from defending their 4A state championship would be their ability to score points because all of their skill position players graduated.

Gorman's inexperience showed in its season opener at Phoenix Brophy Prep, only mustering one score in a 16-6 loss on Aug. 23.

But with the Sunrise Regional playoffs about to begin, Gorman has averaged 52 points in its last three games, including a 44-7 win at Bonanza in the regular season finale Oct. 30. It was the team's 10th straight win as it captured a second straight Southwest Division crown.

"When we started at the beginning of the year, our skill guys just needed playing time and film time," Gorman coach Bob Altshuler said. "At this point, 11 games later, they have that experience and know what to do."

Senior running back Kawika Antolin, who ran for three touchdowns against Bonanza, said the Gaels are ready to defend their title. Gorman, the Southwest's top seed, opens the regional tournament against Legacy Nov. 7.

"We have to step our game way up high to get back to that championship," Antolin said. "We've improved a lot this year. We came together as a team. We're united and we're ready."

Quarterback Joe Huber, who was replaced following the Brophy game but has since taken over the position with solid play down the stretch, said Gorman's offense is rolling.

"We lost a lot of guys from last year, but we still have a lot of weapons," Huber said. "That Brophy game was a little rough. We had a lot of new guys out there. But everybody is together and gelled."

Altshuler insisted the Gaels aren't looking past visiting Legacy in Sunset quarterfinals even though Gorman hasn't lost to a Nevada opponent the last two years.

"They're an I-formation, power running team," Altshuler said about Legacy. "They're a well-coached football team. To get to where they are in this league, they have to be."

Before Gorman wins another state title, it will likely have to get past Palo Verde, the Las Vegas Valley's only undefeated team and the Northwest Division's No. 1 seed.

Anything less than a state title will be a disappointment for Palo Verde (10-0, 7-0), winners of five of the last seven Sunset Regional titles.

Last season's 24-20 loss in the Sunset finals to Gorman still stings, especially the game-winning drive that gave Gorman the win with less than a minute to play.

"Last year we had it in our hands and we let it go," Palo Verde senior Sidney Hodge said. "We're hungry going into the playoffs. We're going to take it this year."

With a dominant rushing attack led by Chaz Thomas and Tyrone Blake, who have combined for 1,854, Palo Verde is expected to run its way through the playoffs.

Palo Verde opens Nov. 7 against Sierra Vista, a team it beat 35-6 on Sept. 5. Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost does not expect an easy matchup the second time around.

"They have won three straight and any time a team goes in with a streak they have a lot of confidence," Rost said. "In the playoffs everyone's coming in with a 0-0 record and you have to be ready to play."

Cimarron-Memorial travels to Spring Valley and Cheyenne hosts Bonanza in the other quarterfinal contests.

Spring Valley, seeded No. 2 from the Southwest, is looking for its first playoff win in five years of existence and knows stopping Cimarron junior tailback Stephen Nixon will control its fate. Nixon has rushed for 1,460 yards and 18 touchdowns.

"(Nixon) is a good back," Spring Valley coach Kelly Murphy said. "He's earned respect from others in the city for what he has done. We'll have to play disciplined football to stop him."

Cimarron coach Rod Vollan had similar compliments for Spring Valley's top threat, senior running back Jacques Adams. Adams has rushed for 1,403 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"We need to make sure we tackle (Adams) and bring him down," Vollan said. "He is really explosive and can hit the hole."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected]. Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].

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