Preview: No. 1 Bishop Gorman vs. No. 3 St. John Bosco

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Another week, another monster showdown, as No. 1 Gorman meets No. 3 Bosco.

It was Oct. 6, 2001, and up-and-coming high school football coach Jason Negro wanted to see the best of the best: De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) versus Long Beach Poly (Calif.).

The game pitted the two top-ranked teams in the nation — the first time ever — and it was played at a sold out Veterans Memorial Stadium on the campus of Long Beach City College. Thousands of fans trying to buy tickets were actually turned away.

A little-known junior named Maurice Jones-Drew scored four touchdowns, leading De La Salle to a 29-15 victory in front of 11,600 fans. It is regarded as one of the most famous high school football games ever.

"It was electric that night," Negro said. "You could feel the energy. It was unforgettable."

Fast forward 15 years and Negro, now an established coach for one of the nation's top programs at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), will lead his team into the same venue to take on the 2014 mythical national champ Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), winner of 41 straight games.

This isn't No. 1 versus No. 2, but it's as close as it gets.

Gorman (2-0), which has outscored Texas and Florida powers in the first two weeks 90-24, is No. 1 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Bosco (2-0), which has outscored Ohio and California squads by identical 34-0 counts, is ranked No. 3.

Bosco is 43-3 since 2013. Gorman is 128-7 since 2007. Both programs take on all comers.

"Heck yes we're pumped. How can you not be?" Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez said. "I'm excited every week with this schedule. But this is an awesome team we're facing with great talent and good coaching."

Said Negro: "It will be total electric environment. This venue has hosted big games in the past. People from all over Southern California and Las Vegas will descend upon Long Beach to watch two really good, high-powered high school programs battle."

Here are the top 10 talking points:

1. The quarterback show

It's hard to imagine two more electric signal-callers in the country than Bishop Gorman senior and Ohio State-bound Tate Martell versus Bosco junior track sprinter Re-al Mitchell. Martell, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound dual threat star has been compared to Johnny Manziel and Doug Flutie. He's thrown for 5,553 yards, 76 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his career at Gorman and is 30-0 as the team's starter.

Mitchell, a 5-11, 185-pounder, accounted for 325 yards and four touchdowns at St. Xavier (Cincinnati). He showed a national television audience his 10.6 speed in the 100-meters with a 98-yard run to open the scoring.

Negro broke down the quarterback matchup like this: "(Martell) might be the most difficult player in the country to prepare for. When you talk about a dual threat, he epitomizes it. He can break you down with his legs or sit in the pocket and pick you apart. … Re'al is very similar to Tate with his playmaking ability. He can make every throw and has definitely shown he can ad-lib.

"The biggest difference between the two is that Tate has started 35-40 games in his prep career. Re-al has started two. But he's made the most of them."

2. Getting defensive

While the high-powered offenses of both teams grab most of the attention, the defenses have been even better in the early going.

Bosco, led by defensive end Jacob Callier and safeties Jaiden Woodbey and Stephan Blaylock, can't do any better than it has shown the first two weeks. Gorman, powered by Ohio State five-star lineman Haskell Garrett, super junior linebacker Palaie Gaoteote and four-star safety Bubba Bolden, has allowed less than 400 yards total against two top offenses.

More Negro: "For us, we're getting way more three-and-outs than previous years. In two weeks, our opponents have managed only about 47 or 48 plays. Last year it was between 62 and 64. We're reducing opportunities. We're physical and athletic and playing the run and pass equally well.

"What sets Gorman apart is they are so talented at all three levels. And they're going to hit you. They don't have a weakness."

Despite Bosco's two shutouts early, Martell isn't intimidated. "If we go out and play our game, we'll light up the scoreboard like we have the last two games."

3. Injury central

Cal-bound running back Biaggio Ali Walsh rested a tender ankle last week for Gorman after rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns against then- No. 5 Cedar Hill. Negro assumes Ali Walsh will play. On Thursday, Sanchez said Ali Walsh is in. Bosco is a little banged up on the offensive line, Negro said.

4. The rematch

The teams collided in Las Vegas two seasons ago, with Gorman jumping out to a 27-3 lead before holding on in a 35-31 thriller. Bosco's comeback was led by a pretty fair quarterback named Josh Rosen, a projected top NFL pick in the 2018 draft. The teams were ranked No. 4 and 5 heading into that game.

5. Friendly foes

Sanchez and Negro are friends. They met at coaches clinics two years ago and when Sanchez's brother Tony was selected as the west head coach at the U.S. Army All-American Game, he called Negro and Kenny Sanchez to assist. "There's a lot of mutual respect between the programs," Negro said. "But that won't detract from any intensity on the field."

6. Fast start

Of Bosco's three defeats in the past four seasons, all have come after painfully slow first halves. In last year's 62-52 Southern California Open Division regional final loss to Centennial (Corona), the Braves fell behind 34-10. "We simply need to turn that around," Negro said. "My biggest fear is simply not playing well in the beginning."

7. Cowboy inspiration

Not the Dallas Cowboys. And not the kind that wear spurs and big-brimmed hats. Sanchez said his Gaels are inspired by MMA superstar Donald "The Cowboy" Cerrone. "He's like us. He doesn't care who he goes against. He'll go against anybody, anywhere, anytime. I love his attitude. Let's just roll."

8. Pressure

Sanchez scoffs at the idea of pressure playing in a big game and big venue. "Pressure makes you fresher," he said.

9. Stay in the pocket

Sanchez: "It's not about the other team. It's always been about ourselves. As long as we're in the pocket and ready to go, we're a tough team to beat."

10. Get the show on the road

Negro: "Hopefully both teams show up and play their best game. If we do, it will be quite a show."