The spectacular Grand Canyon is a fitting backdrop for one of the nation’s top matchups to help kick off the 2010 football season.
Defending state champions Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) will square off in the Fifth Annual Sollenberger Classic at Northern Arizona University’s Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Aug. 21.
Gorman is No. 23 nationally in MaxPreps.com Football Editor Stephen Spiewak’s Xcellent 25 preseason rankings and Hamilton No. 19.
The matchup, locale and date was announced by respective state associations, Arizona Interscholastic Association and Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, on Tuesday.
This one, like one of the nation’s most breathtaking natural formations, should be easy on the eyes.
Photo by Mitchell Reibel
Kyren Poe is Hamilton's new starting quarterback.
“Both communities will be champing at the bit to see (this one),” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to represent the state of Nevada and to complete against one of the top teams in the nation.”
Hamilton went 14-0 last season and returns perhaps the top offensive line in the country, led by 6-foot-5, 282-pound Texas commit
Christian Westerman at tackle. He’s ranked the No. 22 recruit in the country according to CBS College/MaxPreps.com recruiting expert Tom Lemming.
Tyler Johnstone (6-6, 250) is another top recruit on the front line which should bode well for playmakers Kyren Poe, the team’s first-year quarterback, and running back Jai Johnson.
Hamilton’s defense should be stout with key returners Shaq Jenkins, Tyler Rutt and Cedrick Parker.
Hamilton has won five 5A titles in the last seven years under coach Steve Belles.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us to play one of the best teams in the nation,” Belles said. “That said, we’ll be playing for the pride of the great state of Arizona.”
In Gorman, Belles’ team will face a squad that outscored foes 798-135 last season and features super junior tailback Shaquille Powell (1,555 total yards, 29 touchdowns last year) and extremely promising sophomore quarterback Jarrett Solomon.
Solomon (6-1, 185) threw for 2,108 yards and 20 touchdowns as a freshman.
Gorman’s most sought-after player is USC-bound defensive end
Jalen Grimble (6-4, 255), cousin of MaxPreps All-American tight end Xavier Grimble, who will be a freshman at USC this fall. Linebackers Ronald Lyles (5-11, 190) and Jordan Welte (6-0, 235) are two more athletic, hard-hitting standouts.
Other top recruits are defensive back
Evan Zeger (6-2, 200) and linemen Ronnie Stanley (6-7, 280), Ron Scoggins (6-3, 305) and Andre Patterson (6-2, 285).
The action should be fierce up front in this one.
Gorman would love to avenge its last appearance in the Sollenberger when it
lost to Brophy College Prep 16-6 at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2008.
Hamilton won the Sollenberger opener in 2006, defeating Mesa Red Mountain 21-7, before
Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) knocked off Salpointe Catholic 33-17 in 2007. Since then, the game has pitted state champions from Nevada and Arizona, with last year
Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) knocking off McQueen, 51-20.
NOTES: The game honors the late Barry Sollenberger, a former Arizona Interscholastic Association employee and state historian. … During their two-day stay in Flagstaff, players from both teams are invited to attend practices of the Arizona Cardinals, who hold camp at NAU. … The game will be carried via a webcast at www.aia365.com. … Game time is 7 p.m. (local time) and tickets are $10 with kids 5-and-younger admitted free. … The game is also sponsored by the NIAA (
niaa.com) which was established in 1922. … The AIA (
aiaonline.org) was established in 1925.