Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Gorman defense suffocates McQueen in state title game

Jalen Grimble, Jelani Walls among standouts in 40-0 victory

Bishop Gorman vs. McQueen State Championshi

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Bishop Gorman’s Mark Philippi, (L) and Jelani Walls pull an interception from McQueen’s during the state championship game Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Bishop Gorman vs. McQueen State Championship

Bishop Gorman quarterback Anu Solomon (L) and defensive end Jalen Grimble smile as they watch the final seconds tick away during their state championship football game against McQueen Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Gorman won 40-0 for back-to-back championships and their third in four years. Launch slideshow »
Prep Sports Now

Who's got my back?

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer sign off on football season by discussing this weekend's state championship game between Bishop Gorman and Reno's McQueen High. They also look back at the two semifinal games from last weekend — and get fired up Gorman-style with a pregame chant.

To the Bishop Gorman defense, the only thing better than winning a state championship is winning a state championship with a shutout.

Led by senior defensive end Jalen Grimble and his usual cohorts, the Gaels were able to accomplish that Saturday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium against McQueen. Bishop Gorman 40, McQueen 0.

“We talked about it in practice and only giving up 12 points in our division, we knew it was doable,” Grimble said. “With the practice we put in, I knew we could do it.”

Gorman took it a step further. The defense never allowed McQueen to reach Gorman territory.

The only time the Lancers were within the 50-yard line came when they had an interception in the second quarter inside the 20-yard line. But the Gaels stuffed them three plays in a row and sophomore cornerback Jelani Walls blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt to thwart what would be the Lancers' only scoring opportunity.

“The snap took forever to get back there and the kicker went a little slow,” Walls said. “So I went hard and got the block.”

Walls also halted another McQueen drive with an interception around midfield a minute before halftime.

He was the perfect example of the way Gorman has relied on so many different pieces on defense all year. In both the quarterfinals and semifinals, Gorman played teams that ran the double-wing and never threw the ball so Walls was forced to sit on the bench.

Facing a pro-style offense in McQueen, Walls took advantage of playing in his normal role.

“I think he played three snaps in the last two weeks,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “We finally saw a conventional offense today and he was excited about getting in there.”

Grimble, a top recruit who committed to USC, was in on nearly every tackle in the first half. Sanchez said Grimble had some of his best games as a Gael in this year’s playoffs.

Grimble said he was most happy to share the moment with his teammates. Most of his tackles came with linebackers Jaylon Jackson, Ron Lyles and Ben Guida swarming to the ball alongside him.

“We’ve been through the thick and the thin — all the practices, all the running, all the trouble we’ve gotten into together,” Grimble said. “We will always stick together.”

During last year’s run to the state championship, the Gorman offense was the star of the show. The Gaels scored the most points in the nation and garnered all of the attention.

Although the offense certainly starred again this season, defense was arguably the Gaels' most valuable unit. In 12 games against in-state opponents, Gorman gave up a total of 36 points.

“At the end of the day the unsung hero of the team is the defense,” Sanchez said. “Everyone talks about the offense because it’s so fun and we all love points. But (the defense) just showed up every game and made everyone earn it.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy