Tickets being pre-sold for Saturday’s Gorman, Palo Verde showdown

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 | 4:14 p.m.

Tickets are being pre-sold for Saturday’s high school football game between Bishop Gorman High and host Palo Verde.

The much-anticipated contest, which begins at 1 p.m., is for the Sunset Regional championship and a spot in next week’s 4A classification state title game.

Tickets are available at the athletic office at either school. Adults prices are $7; students are $5.

It’s the fourth straight season the schools have met in the postseason, with a standing-room only crowd for each game. Officials expect a similar turnout Saturday.

Pre-selling tickets for a high school game is a common practice in other states where high school sports are more popular. In Nevada, it rarely happens.

The rivalry between the two schools is that significant.

“This is as special as any game anywhere,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “We have a little slice of high school football heaven the week Palo Verde and Gorman play.”

Tickets will still be available on game day. However, officials warn fans to arrive at least one hour before kickoff to guarantee a seat in the 3,000-capacity stadium. Long lines at the ticket booth and security gate are expected to last until halftime.

Officials from Gorman’s athletic office have 500 tickets for the Gorman side of the stadium. But since Gorman is closed Wednesday, its fans can also purchase tickets at Palo Verde. All monies from the game go the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, which governs high school sports in Nevada.

This is the third time in four years the teams are playing for the Sunset title. Defending state champion Gorman holds a 2-1 edge, but Palo Verde’s 50-14 win in 2008 was the biggest margin of victory and the last time Gorman lost to a local opponent.

“They have the best of the best with players, facilities and tradition,” Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. “If you want to beat someone, you want to beat the best.”