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Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 | 12:22 a.m.
Expanded coverage
Prep Sports Now
Upsets abound as rivalry week approaches
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Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Steve Silver break down last week's high school football contests and preview this Friday's upcoming games including the Henderson Bowl between Green Valley and Basic as well as the Cleat game Chaparral and Eldorado.
Bishop Gorman High continued its domination of the Southwest Division on Friday night with a 69-6 victory against Western.
The Gaels (8-0) have outscored league opponents 326-23 in six games, including beating Bonanza 70-0 last week. Gorman has only punted 10 times in eight games.
“It’s tough having two games in a row where the score is lopsided,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “But we could have actually been a lot sharper in doing some of the little things.”
Victor Belen had a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Gaels, who were minutes away from their third straight shutout before Western returned a kickoff for a touchdown late.
Trevor Stuart and Devin Bailey each had interception returns for touchdowns, while Ben Quida and Shaquille Powell had rushing touchdowns.
A fresh coat of paint and a fresh perspective are among the changes being made around Western High School.
Western is one of five turnaround schools that missed the marks set by No Child Left Behind and now faces the challenge of increasing student achievement.
The school is the third oldest in the district and its campus lies near Decatur Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway. The majority of students attending Western are minorities from disadvantaged homes. Western is known for having a rough past, but students are optimistic about the future of their school.
Change is apparent according to students interviewed in September.
“When I was in eighth grade, I was told I was going to get shot or stabbed when I came to Western,” said senior Kole Yanez, 17. “That might have been true 15 years ago, but now, you don’t see that here.”
Rules are tightly enforced on campus. The school keeps a strict dress code policy and cell phone use during class time is not permitted.
Halls are designated by grade level giving students a sense of ownership and community. Pride is clearly visible at pep rallies and sporting events. The newfound pride might just be he medicine needed to alleviate the 8 percent dropout rate, the highest in the district.
“It’s like building a house. You need a strong foundation,” said Neddy Alvarez, principal. “You need those strong relationships. When kids know we care about them, the learning will take place.”
- Year built:
- 1960
- Mascot:
- Warriors
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Neddy Alvarez (2008)
- Mission Statement:
- “The mission of Western High School is to promote scholarship, encourage good citizenship, and embrace our cultural diversity.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,400
- Notable alumni:
- Frank Hawkins, former NFL player
Capt. Nicole Malachowski, first female Thunderbird
Ronnie Vannucci, drummer of The Killers
Tom Collins, Clark County commissioner - School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.
Coach Sanchez is a true gentleman and Bishop Gorman is lucky to have him running their program. Sanchez could easily be coaching any Division I football program. I expect Gorman to easily run through Palo Verde and Legacy to an easy state title this year. The games which Gorman has won by 60+ points could have easily been by 100+ points if Sanchez didn't put in his 2nd and 3rd string players halfway through each game.
I think the athletic director and UNLV President should take a long and hard look at Coach Sanchez for heading our stuggling Division I football program that is nearly last in every aspect of the game out of 120 programs across the country.
At this point, I don't even know if someone like Coach Sanchez would be interested in a program like ours with all of the problems internally and externally coupled with the politics. I do know this, it is certainly worth a shot! Can someone with power and influence please try to coordinate a meeting or talks at the very least. I don't think this violates any NCAA rules. As a fellew UNLV Alum, I have always believed that Bishop Gorman gets it and that we should be a feeder program for their students and coaches. They have great academics, boosters, support, awesome recruting, outstanding sports along with tradition. We need all of the above at UNLV. I am not going to stop pleading until we turn things around and start using our own resources that are great right here in the BEST city in the world, Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada!!!!
Wow, it has taken a while for someone to finally sit up and take notice of what Gorman has going on nowadays with Coach Sanchez. TheNativeSon, I do believe you "get it" about this man. You can ask most college coaches, who are constantly passing through his office each week lately, and they would confirm that Gorman has a diamond in the rough. (and I doubt it's really that rough) This man IS the real deal and we at Gorman just hope he sticks around a little while, at least, before he hops up to the next level. We feel fortunate to have him - he's doing all the right stuff!