Commentary:

Gorman football a dynasty in the making

Monday, June 29, 2009 | 3:23 p.m.

Las Vegas Valley high school football teams shouldn’t bother handing out equipment this fall.

That’s what one 4A classification coach jokingly said last week when discussing how loaded Bishop Gorman appears to be.

If Gorman is this stacked, why bother going through the motions, right? Obviously, the coach was being facetious ...but you can’t argue his humor.

The Gaels’ talent, especially on defense, is best described by the emergence of defensive end Ian Bobak. Buried behind a pair of Division I ends last year, Bobak received limited playing time and only had five tackles and one sack — for the year, not one game.

This summer, however, he has gotten a chance to shine.

Gorman more than held its own at Fresno State’s competitive team camp two weeks ago, battling against some of California’s best programs in showing they are the team to beat in Nevada.

Bobak, on a defense that will feature as many as five with Division I offers, was one of Gorman’s top players. So good that Fresno State offered him a scholarship.

That means seven from Gorman have offers from major Division I schools, including 15-year-old junior-to-be defensive end Jalen Grimble who has offers from USC, UCLA, LSU, Texas Tech, Utah, and UNLV. Grimble’s cousin, rising senior Xavier Grimble, already committed to USC and is rated as the nation’s best tight end by recruiting Web site Rivals.com.

“If our kids match the talent level with work ethic and intensity, we’ll have the opportunity to do something special,” said Tony Sanchez, Gorman’s first-year coach who was hired after a national search this winter.

Don’t be surprised if doing something special means matching the dominance of the private school’s baseball program. Gorman’s baseball team has captured four straight state titles, was ranked No. 1 last week in Baseball America’s final rankings and won the American Legion World Series last summer.

Just months into Sanchez’s tenure, it’s not far-fetched to predict the football program will enjoy the same success.

Sanchez has the swagger and confidence needed to handle the expectations at Gorman, and his an energetic attitude is contagious.

It doesn’t hurt that Gorman has more than its share of special athletes.

Gorman’s stable of talented players goes deeper than next year’s senior class. Sophomore Marc Philippi — son of former UNLV strength coach Mark Philippi — will be the starting quarterback and sophomore tailback Shaquille Powell has the potential to Las Vegas’ top rusher in each of the next three years.

But let’s not prematurely engrave Gorman’s name on the championship trophy.

If the Gaels have an Achilles’ Heel it would their lack of team speed, something that was exploited by Palo Verde last fall in the Sunset Regional title game. Palo Verde turned the contest into a track meet and Gorman was simply too slow in a 50-14 defeat.

Palo Verde, which has played in the last seven state semifinals, is still the team to beat.

But Gorman, at least for now, is a close second.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By dlmartin777

7/3/09 at 11:33 a.m.

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The greatest sport known to mankind is tackle football, and fortunately for all of the non Gorman elite football teams we play it on the field and not on paper or in the media. I thank God for this great game of ours and we are all 0-0.We will all see who the best is when we all pad up and start hitting. 7 on 7s 11 on 11s are akin to preseason NFL football,and to the best of my memory you do not win Superbowls in August.
By gorman_gael

7/5/09 at 9:33 p.m.

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Oh but that's where you are wrong dlmartin777. Championships are won in August. Your previous statements show that you have never been part of a successful football team. Without the hard work put in during summer workouts successful teams would be reduced to nothing. During summer practices teammates bond, schemes are installed, and student athletes have the opportunity to better their abilities. Without summer practices a lot of the athletes wouldn't hit the weight room to become stronger, bigger, and faster. How can you even suggest that 7 on 7's, 11 on 11's and preseason football are small useless events? If they were useless or small miniscule events why would coaches, schools, athletes, and organizations be a part of them? It is obvious that you are not a fan of Bishop Gorman football. In your previous passage you wrote "I thank God for this great game of ours and we are all 0-0.We sill all see who the best is when we all pad up and start hitting." You are right about that. Indeed we will see. The boys over at Bishop Gorman wouldn't want it any other way. We are ready to prove to this state and to the country that we can be a premier team and we welcome the opportunity to compete against whoever will step up. We will work the hardest to be the best on the football field, in the classroom, and in the community as citizens. Good luck to you and your team. We'll see you this fall. God Bless
By dlmartin777

7/5/09 at 11:30 p.m.

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gorman_gael you have missed the mark here .First and foremost I come from a long line of champions in my family.Secondly my high school is ranked in the top 25 of all time wins in the nation. we are ranked 23rd with an all time record of 704-297-34.My high school was playing football before Gorman ever existed.I am proud of my high schools 11 state Championships since 1982.My uncle Elijah Pitts #22 tailback is the proud owner of two Championship rings with the Green Bay packers in the 60's. My nephew Kevin Martin of the Sacramento Kings had a very good B-Ball season.My uncle Matt Snell has a Superbowl ring with the N.Y. Jets he played with Joe Willie Naimath and I admit I never can compare to them ,but I did Play d 1 football for Cincinnatti Bearcats.Football championships are not won in Aug.I am not referring to ones preparation but the actual event,the game it self.Show me where I suggested that off season events are useless? Show me where I said any negative comments directed to Bishop Gorman? I do not have to be a Gorman fan to know and love football son. Football out dates Gorman and so does my love for this great game.I have many athletes in my family and win or loose I support them in all their efforts and you and Gorman and this commentator are non factors in the equation.I am giving all the other high schools here in Vegas their due respect because last year is over and this year is yet to be determined. I watched Palo Verde dismantle Gorman and than saw Mcqueen beat Palo.So I simply was making an accurate observation that Gorman has not won State lately and many schools will try to keep it that way.The game is played on the field not here.Gorman is a good program for a private school especially the baseball team but your national football rank is far lower.I applaud the Gorman boosters and the kids and parents who support the school ,But you misunderstood me I want to see all of the Vegas schools become more competetive nationally ,to be able to compete against the top California,Texas ,Florida,Ohio type teams.
By gorman_gael

7/6/09 at 9:26 p.m.

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You are very right on a few of your revised points. Congratulations on your and your families success in sports. I shouldn't have suggested that you don't like Gorman or that you weren't part of successful teams. I apologize for the ignorant things i wrote. I guess I must have misunderstood you because I was under the impression that you found summer workouts unnecessary. When you used preseason football in the NFL as an example of 7 on 7's and 11 on 11's I took that as you viewing these events as unnecessary. I again apologize for misunderstanding. I just concluded my freshman year at palo verde while leading the freshman team in tackles. I was very surprised that a team with such a one sided offensive scheme can win so many games. You can thank the scheme for their lack of finishing ability in the playoffs however. Do to various reasons I transfered to Bishop Gorman this last semester. This is why I was so quick to defend the school. I think the point of the article though is that Gorman has all the tools and resources to become a powerhouse in the coming years. After playing for Darwin Rost over at Palo Verde and then being a part of Gorman football I will say that Bishop Gorman is the better team. We have added a whole new coaching staff that has been a part of winning teams. They have brought with them a passion for the game and a will to win. I think I speak for the whole team when I say coach Sanchez has us fired up to win some games this year. I do disagree with one of your statements however. You said that Gorman has not won State lately. They beat Mcqueen 38-17 in 2007. As sad as it is I don't see teams from this state competing with the likes of Texas, Florida, or Ohio. I am all for it but I don't see it happening due to lack of talent.
By dlmartin777

7/7/09 at 3:18 p.m.

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gorman_gael you do not need to apologize to me for anything you said or believe in fact I truly admire you and your passion. Since moving here from California and originally Ohio I have tried to embrace Las Vegas Prep sports, Vegas lacks stability to consider any High school a dynasty for now but in 5 to 15 years that will all change..I respect Gorman, Vegas wildcats,Palo, Del Sol,and I am familiar with some of the older programs in the state that have won big games and produced great star athletes.Vegas will soon be on the national stage I truly believe this and it will take Passionate student athletes like you and my son and many others to make their presence known on the field in the classroom in the home and in the community. I believe you young man are up for the challenge God Bless you and I pray you will succeed in all your goals.
By gorman_gael

7/8/09 at 12:33 p.m.

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i appreciate the support. more athletes in the community could use people like you to support them. good luck to your son. i'm sure he'll represent vegas sports to the best of his ability as will i. keep supporting prep sports in this great state. the athletes need the support. god bless you and your family.