High school football: No. 2 Bishop Gorman opens season with 33-7 win over Hawaii power Kahuku

No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) got contributions from all three phases to open the 2024 high school football campaign Friday with a 33-7 win over Hawaii power Kahuku.

The Gaels – reigning MaxPreps National Champions – scored twice on offense, benefited from special teams and were stout defensively in opening a 19-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Maika Eugenio scored on a pair of 1-yard sneaks while Myles Norman and Jonathan Coar shouldered the rushing attack for the Gaels. Gorman went with a two-headed quarterback approach most of the night with Eugenio and Melvin Spicer IV.

Playing in front of a large crowd at home, Bishop Gorman benefited from a muffed punt that led to their first score, a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Eugenio. The Gaels then put a safety on the board when a snap sailed over the Kahuku punter's head. Brayton Correa then intercepted Red Raiders' quarterback Troy Mariteragi as they were driving in Gorman territory.

The Gaels spent most of the first half on the Kahuku side of the field, closing the half going 35 yards in just over a minute, fueled by two big catches by Derek Meadows. Gorman then punched the ball into the end zone on a Spicer 1-yard pass to Norman.

Kahuku, which beat St. Louis (Honolulu) 14-13 last week after trailing 13-0 at halftime, was driving on its opening possession of the half but Jett Washington intercepted a pass in the red zone. It was one of two interceptions for Washington on the night. 

The Red Raiders, however, put points on the board on their next possession on a 20-yard quarterback scamper by backup signal caller Christian Sanford-Tupuola.

But Gorman answered back immediately with a big run on the first play from scrimmage by Norman that set up Eugenio's second touchdown.

Greg Toler capped the scoring in the fourth quarter on a 48-yard catch and run on a screen from Spicer.

Bishop Gorman (1-0) travels to Florida next week for a MaxPreps Top 25 showdown against No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) before hitting the road again for a big time battle against No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). Kahuku (1-1) returns to the islands for a pair of games against in-state foes before hosting Mater Dei on Sept. 14.