Gorman survives scare from Legacy

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 | 1:15 a.m.

To be the best, you have to beat the best.

And for the past two years, Nevada schools haven't been able to defeat Bishop Gorman's football team.

The defending large-school state champion Gaels opened defense of their title Friday night with a hard-fought 17-6 victory against visiting Legacy in the Sunset Regional quarterfinals.

Gorman sophomore fullback Jordan Welte rushed for 106 yards on 19 carries and scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with 9 minutes, 30 seconds to play.

Joe Huber added a 22-yard touchdown run five minutes later as the Gaels closed the game with 14 unanswered points to avoid the upset.

It was the Gaels' (11-1) 10th straight win, making them 25-1 overall since Bob Altshuler took over the program last fall. The streak includes a perfect 17-0 record against in-state opponents.

The lone setback was a 16-6 defeat against Arizona's Brophy Prep in August to open this season.

That was the last time Gorman trailed in a game — well, until Friday night.

Legacy, just a third-year school, took a 6-3 lead on an 8-yard touchdown run from DeShae Edwards on the second play of the third quarter.

With Gorman's offense struggling for yardage — it only had four first downs and 107 yards in the first half — it appeared as if the season could be coming to a premature end.

"We took this as a wake-up call," Welte said. "We're in the playoffs now. You either win or go home."

Gorman's defense, which has given up eight or less points in 10 games, led the comeback. Oklahoma-commit Justin Chaisson recovered a fumble at Legacy's 28-yard line late in the third quarter to set up Welte's score.

The defense wasn't finished.

Gorman's Evan Zeger blocked a punt on Legacy's next possession to give Gorman another short field. Three plays later, Huber put the game out of reach by racing around the corner for an insurance touchdown.

Zeger, a sophomore defensive back, also had two interceptions — the second of which sealed the win with less than three minutes to play.

"We really underestimated (Legacy)," Zeger said. "They were tough and hung in there."

If not for Legacy's Dontrell Hall returning the opening kickoff of the second half to Gorman's 14-yard line, the Longhorns would have more than likely been held scoreless. They only had four first downs.

Still, the setback was a moral victory of sorts for the young program. They only lose three starters and have plenty to build from — especially taking fourth in the competitive Northwest Division, arguably the toughest league in town.

"Our program took a big step tonight," Legacy coach Dave Synder said. "We proved we have the ability to play with everybody. We just hung with the defending state champions."

Edwards, a junior, rushed for 78 yards and 16 carries.

The win pushes Gorman into the Sunset semifinals, just four wins from repeating as state champions. The Gaels host Cheyenne at 7 p.m. next Friday.

"This was a gut-check for us," Althshuler said. "The nice thing is that we'll come back and get after it (in practice) to get better."

Sports Editor Ray Brewer can be reached at ray.brewer@hbcpub.com or 990-2662.