PREP FOOTBALL:

Gorman ready for Palo following 56-15 pounding of Cheyenne

Freshman QB Solomon settles in, helps turn close game into a blowout

Justin M. Bowen

Bishop Gorman freshman quarterback Anu Solomon runs into the Cheyenne Desert Shields line Friday night in the Sunset Regional quarterfinals. Gorman dominated with a 56-15 victory.

By Ryan Greene (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.

Bishop Gorman-Cheyenne

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First-year Bishop Gorman coach Tony Sanchez had barely finished making his way through the postgame handshake line before proclaiming — to no one in particular — that it was now officially 'Palo week.'

Of course, that's in reference to the Sunset Regional semifinal showdown which is now set up for next week between Gorman and rival Palo Verde, who slaughtered the Gaels last year in the regional finals, 50-14.

Gorman did its part to set up the rematch by unloading on Cheyenne on Friday night, 56-15.

"The first day that I sat down and talked to the team and we talked about goals, every single kid on our team mentioned Palo," Sanchez said after capping his postgame address to his team with a similar reminder. "It's something our kids look forward to all year, we knew that it was a tough road, we had to earn the right to play them just like they had to earn the right to play us through the playoffs."

It took the Gaels a little bit on Friday night to look like a team that had earned the right, but once it began to rain, well, boy did it pour on the Desert Shields.

Following a Shaquille Powell fumble which Cheyenne's Marquise Holliday took back for a 67-yard score, the atmosphere at Fertitta Field felt lifeless, with the score tied at 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Then, it was time for Gorman to try mixing things up on offense, as pounding away at the heart of the Cheyenne defense was going nowhere.

"They loaded the box up, they were committed to take away the run," Sanchez said. "It took us a minute to really open it up and start throwing it. If you're going to put nine guys in the box, our freshman quarterback (Anu Solomon), he'll pick you apart. He did that tonight."

On a 70-yard scoring drive which began a big-time Gorman second quarter run, Solomon completed his second pass of the night, then was on the receiving end of a trick play, which had Powell throw downfield to Solomon for a 29-yard gain, setting up a one-yard touchdown plunge by the frosh.

That came with 4:14 to go in the first half, and by the time the intermission came, Cheyenne was stumbling, as the scoreboard read 35-7.

After that go-ahead touchdown, senior Alex Turner would add a three-yard touchdown run, senior Victor Belen added a 13-yard touchdown jaunt and senior John Lloyd weaved his way through all 11 Cheyenne bodies for a 40-yard score on a punt return.

"I really don't think it was so much nerves, it was just playoff time, and everyone comes out to play," Turner said. "They came out coached up real well and they were fired up. We had to get ourselves fired up. We were like 'whoa,' it was a different team than on film."

Noticeably cooler in the second half was Solomon, who began to use his best weapon — burly senior tight end and Southern Cal commit Xavier Grimble — and found fellow freshman Ryan Smith on a couple of bombs down the middle.

He finished the night without a brutally impressive stat line — 8-of-15 for 136 yards and an interception, plus five carries for seven yards and the aforementioned catch — but the experience he gained was more important than any number.

"It was tough for him," Sanchez said. "At the end of the day, how many freshman quarterbacks have won a state playoff game? If you go back and research it, I bet it's not too many. He struggled a bit mentally early, settling on in, but you expect that. I think he's got it under his belt, came back in that second half and hit all those seam routes and he's ready to go, so we're excited."

Now the focus shifts straight to Palo Verde, who routed Desert Oasis in other playoff action, setting up the showdown that everyone in the Valley has waited so patiently to see.

"It's definitely a big game," Turner added. "I know all the guys on the other team, and it's definitely a school rivalry, being down the street (from each other). They put it on us last year, and we just want to come back and show that we're a strong team and show how hard we've been working."

Ryan Greene can be reached at ryan.greene@lasvegassun.com or 702-948-7844.

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By dgump

11/7/09 at 9:35 a.m.

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Any QB in Las Vegas can throw for a 52% completion rate (with interceptions?) behind Gormans line which averages over 300 lbs and is as big and fast as any Divsion I school....Sanchez's only mistake so far this season is playing Solomon. He needed a tall QB who can see over that huge line and one big enough to not be scared of the hits..the problem with Solomon is that he is too thin and small; I think he is 5'11", 170lbs -- most of the QBs on top nationally ranked highschool teams are over 6'3" and weigh north of 210 lbs.....if Palo can exploit this weakness with saftey and LB blitzes from the outside look for serious problems for Gorman...Gorman's RBs are not big enough to hold off LB and safey blitzes from Palo if they take that strategy. Palo must target the weak link of the offensive team early and aggressively to beat Gorman.
By VegasVegas

11/7/09 at 4:39 p.m.

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Well perhaps you should go coach the team dgump, because Gorman is about to get some sweet, sweet revenge on the team that went up north and failed to represent in the title game last season.

Rost will probably need some help. And next season it'll only get worse.
By kaka702

11/7/09 at 4:58 p.m.

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haha PALO VERDE will destroy GORMAN
By VegasVegas

11/7/09 at 5:44 p.m.

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Will meet ya back here in this thread this time next week to discuss their "destruction" of Gorman.
By carelessofwhatuthink1

11/7/09 at 6:53 p.m.

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dgump-facts are probably you don't know crap about football or just someone that is so jealous that you post comments on here because you won't be heard from nobody else. You know nothing about this qb so shut the hell up! Oh wait, you probably obsess with him that you have to make things up. yes, that's what it is!!! He is legit and just a FRESHMAN. Get it. He probably will be taller than you! haha.
As a gorman supporter, people like you will always hate and you know what hits you the hardest...We don't care what you think. Just thought I let you know.
By dgump

11/8/09 at 10:03 a.m.

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I actually played Division I football and know the game very well...I think Gorman will win the game, but they could lose if their weaknesses are exploited.
By w1536uy

11/8/09 at 12:23 p.m.

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dgump..wow. You must be Bubba's younger brother Dorkus. If you know the game very well as you say, then you should know a line averaging 300 pounds offers no guarantees except for a large food bill. If you knew the athlete, your outlook might be a little different. The only weak link that is evident is between your logic and your experience. Solomon is the right choice hands down. He has a cannon AND you don't have to worry about his ability to take hits. He will run at anyone on defense if he has to and GIVE hits. While playing at the QB spot in our youth football team, he also started at LB and Strong Safety. You shouldn't flap about people you don't know. Do you know Solomon or Sanchez? Did Sanchez tell you he "needed a tall QB"? Get serious. You think Gorman will win the game "but they could lose if their weaknesses are exploited". Duh! That could be said about EVERY football game that will ever be played for every team that will play it! Your analysis is like saying if the receivers can't catch and running backs can't run then that team will have a real hard time scoring touchdowns. At least your true to the Gump persona.
By wep

11/8/09 at 1:04 p.m.

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w1536uy you are correct in your analysis of dgumps statement, the offensive line is big but they seem to come out and take a good 3 or 4 series to make adjustments to what the defense is doing in every game. Gorman will not be afforded that luxory against Palo Verde this week. Gorman cannot wait to adjust and must come out and be the agressor from the first to the last whistle or they will lose this playoff game and all of their critics will be vindicated. Lastly, this kid is a good QB and I don't believe that they had a 6'3" QB to choose from at Gorman sorry dgump.
By dgump

11/9/09 at 10:56 a.m.

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QBs in Divison I (and most high ranking teams in highschool) need to see over the tall offensive lineman. A QB that is 5'11" cannot see over lineman that are 6'4" - 6'6" unless he takes a five step drop which cannot occur when there is a blitz from safteys or LBs....you guys are ignorant of Divison I level play, certainly at the QB position...Im sure the kid is a good athlete, but lets keep it real, any QB in Las Vegas can throw for 50% behind Gormans line...if he does make it to college ball in a few years they will likely put him at DB or receiver unless he grows another 4 inches....It is likely that Gorman will win against Palo and the state title, but they will still be ranked behind 50+ high school football teams in California and need to expand their schedule to get the recognition they want.
By carelessofwhatuthink1

11/9/09 at 11:11 a.m.

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dgump- haha, like I said you are so ignorant to believe your own lies! This kid is 6 ft, clean your eyes. His line is tall as heck. Mentioned before he is a FRESHMAN, he'll continue to grow. Unlike yourself, you stopped @ 5'7". Unless your his pediatrician and measured him yourself?
bubba gump's brother, save yourself from the stupidity that you leave on here. Get a life!!!
Oh you must have not made it far if you played D1 or you were satisfied of being their WATERBOY in division 1!
By ROCKSHONEY

11/9/09 at 12:36 p.m.

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dgump-HONESTLY! you should stop with your comments because the more you leave one, it just shows how much more ignorant you are. Before you start giving out cheap shots maybe you should know your facts. He is not 5'11" nor is he a 170 lbs. AND IF HE WAS? "SO WHAT". I find it hilarious how "YOU" felt that Sanchez made a mistake, YET! with the teams record and Solomon's stats it didn't seem like his vision was blocked by his HUGE line (as you seem to think) because he gets the ball into the hands of his teammates and it's not by standing on anyone's back, so I GUESS SHORTY'S GOT SKILLS. Enquiring minds wants to know, what happened did Solomon take your son's position or something because right off the back you started spitting fire towards this freshman quarterback, no shots toward the team, just shots straight to Solomon. GET OVER YOURSELF.....you seem to know so much about the game and how it should be played, for yoursake! I hope your a coach somewhere because I would hate to see your talent and/or opinions go to waste. The best of luck to both teams, but more so, THE BEST OF LUCK TO THE FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK, ANU SOLOMON.
By NOTINBUTLUV

11/9/09 at 3:24 p.m.

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GOOD LUCK ANU SOLOMON....GOOO GET'UM GORMAN.
By VegasVegas

11/10/09 at 9:31 a.m.

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The whole height thing is kinda' stupid anyways. It won't impair the QBs vision, I'm not sure if you've seen the view before, but once you drop back, it's not like you have a wall of giant lineman blocking your vision.

Ever heard of Doug Flutie? 5 foot 10 QB that played football at a pretty high level...hmmmm...I wonder how he did it.
By kaka702

11/11/09 at 7:10 p.m.

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is this game going to be on tv? like friday night lights or something lol no really??
By dgump

11/11/09 at 8:43 p.m.

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....this commentary is how Palo can possibly win this game, which is to go after Gorman's weakness, which is the QB, who lacks experience (frshmn) and size. I have never seen a high school team start a frshmn and win a state title. Based upon the numbers I have seen from the newspapers, his numbers are very average; so I am confused as to why Gorman would have a frshmn starter at QB, which is regarded as the leadership position of most football teams.
By w1536uy

11/12/09 at 7:36 a.m.

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look gump...give it a rest. Solomon's physical stature is just fine. As far as experience, no worries there either. On our club team, playing in championships is second nature to our kids. We've always played above our division with Solomon at QB, LB, and SS. We've gone to tourneys & invitationals and played our middle school division against high school teams from Cali, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, and Arizona. We won them all. Even in town...we've beaten everyone. We have 4 years of championship trophies with Solomon at the helm with 3 undefeated seasons. He was bred for these kind of games. And if you know anything about football, you would know that it takes a TEAM to win or lose a game. But I guess the bottom line is that you are correct on your last post when you say "I am confused"! So just accept your own confusion and leave it that. You don't know the kid, the coach, or the team. I'm sure if it was important for you to understand or know anything...someone from Gorman would've contacted you. But it's not..so they didn't. Oh well...
By dgump

11/13/09 at 9:20 a.m.

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"Im confused" is a metaphor...check up the defintion...coaches do not start freshmen QBs because it is unfair to the juniors and seniors of the team...pop warner football means nothing in the context of varsity high school football; that is my opinion...I see from the roster that the back up QB is only a sophomore and is even smaller than the freshman..I am surprised that some of the junior and senior championship baseball players at Gorman aren't playing QB on the team...it seems all of the baseball players at Gorman are white and mostly all the football players are of color, what does that mean???? "im confused"
By VegasVegas

11/14/09 at 7:12 p.m.

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"haha PALO VERDE will destroy GORMAN"

....and on the next episode of "Predictions Gone Sour"...

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