With Muhammad Ali and Snoop Dogg in attendance, No. 1 Bishop Gorman finishes on top

RENO, Nev. – Tony Sanchez gathered his Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) team one last time at midfield after a stirring 70-28 Nevada Division I state championship win over Reed (Sparks) on Saturday and got all choked up.

The words barely came out. "Proud. …love. … courage," were some of the words that gushed out.

He expressed himself like a coach who had just completed a perfect season, a state title and possibly a mythical national title. All confirmed and correct.

See Todd Shurleff's photo gallery of game and aftermath

His emotions came from a man who is rumored to be leaving a fruitful place to attempt a new challenge. Reports indicate Sanchez is the frontrunner for the vacant UNLV position, but he was mum about his future afterward. If ever a high school football coach was to leave at a high point, this was it.

The victory, like the season and six-year ride, was nearly perfect, filled with big plays by big-time athletes and a couple monumental celebrity sightings along the way. The consensus No. 1 team in the country finished 15-0 and outscored opponents 776-184.

"At the end of the day, I just love this place and love this school and program so much," Sanchez said. "Everyone gives so much. It's bittersweet to end any season, but especially this one. This one was truly special."

How much more special can it get when Muhammad Ali, "The Greatest," shows up for his first varsity football game to watch his grandson Biaggio Walsh, an ultra-talented backup sophomore tailback who carried the ball just four times for 137 yards and touchdown runs of 34 and 91 yards?

The latter, in the closing two minutes, was supposed to close out the clock. Instead, Walsh skipped right, broke three or four tackles, spun out of another and sprinted the last 50 yards untouched.

Walsh had the unusual distinction of scoring Gorman's first touchdown of the season and the last. There were lots of them in between.

"I didn't know he was coming," Walsh said. "It was a complete surprise. I looked back in the stands and just saw a big cluster of people. It was awesome. He made me want to play harder. I did it for my team and seniors, but I really wanted it badly for him."

Sophomore quarterback Tate Martell wanted it badly too. He transferred to Gorman from Poway (Calif.) in the summer and didn't start the first two games, but finished off with 13 straight starts. This was likely his best, completing 9 of 13 for 200 yards and six touchdowns, three to his adopted brother Tyjon Lindsey.

For good measure, Martell ran for a TD. Selected as the Nevada Player of the Year by Gatorade, Martell finished with 40 touchdown passes and two interceptions.

"This feeling right now is just unbelievable. … indescribable," he said. "I couldn't have imagined a better season."

Senior tailback Russell Booze rushed 19 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard jaunt midway through the third quarter. One of a talented three-back set, Booze finished with 1,788 yards and 23 touchdowns.

"We climbed to the top of the mountain," Booze said. "Every day we put in a Grade A effort on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room. We were rewarded."

Two of Martell's TD passes were to senior Cordell Broadus, the senior transfer from California and son of Snoop Dogg, who made his last performance in the Gorman blue and orange his best.

He started the scoring with a terrific 7-yard TD catch in the left corner of the end zone and added a spectacular 14-yarder in almost in the same spot in the fourth quarter. Like Martell, the new surroundings were close to perfect.

After the game he lifted his mom off the ground with a bear hug with his dad, two large security guards and ESPN documentary cameras looking on. He finished with 39 catches for 602 yards and 11 scores.

"This was a great way to finish," Broadus said. "I'm so happy right now."

Reed had to be more than happy with its play as well.

Most figured it would get blown out and when Lindsey took a short pass and turned it into a 24-yard touchdown, Gorman led 14-0 with 7:17 left in the first.

Instead of buckling, Reed burst back by scoring three of the game's next four touchdowns to tie the game at 21-21 midway through the second quarter on a 1-yard TD from Jorden Carter. Superb dual-threat quarterback Matt Denn (272 total yards) started Reed's rally with a 69-yard TD scamper down the left sideline before completing an 11-yard scoring pass to Nate Foreman.

"There's a reason they were in the state finals, so I wasn't surprised," Sanchez said. "My message at halftime was to calm down and relax."

It helped that the 1:37 before the half, the quick-strike Gaels struck for two touchdowns, a Martell 1-yard keeper and a 63-yard strike to Lindsey (4 catches, 122 yards).

After Booze's 51-yard TD run, the Gaels looked on their way again, but this time Denn connected with tight end Parker Houston on a beautiful 14-yard TD throw and catch to cut the lead to 42-28. The 28 points from Reed were more than Gorman had allowed in the previous six games combined.

"This team has shown a lot of fight and heart all season," Sanchez said. "They always respond."

The Gaels finished things off with four straight touchdowns, started and ended with Walsh touchdown runs. The Gaels piled up 594 yards and committed just one turnover, giving them just eight in 15 games.

It's another reason why Sanchez thinks the Gaels should maintain their consensus No. 1 ranking.

"I don't know, it's not my call, but sure," he said. "We started the year No. 1 and the players did everything we asked them to do. It took a lot of courage and heart to have everyone aiming at you with their best shot and finding ways to win. They embraced every challenge, worked hard and had fun doing it."

If Sanchez leaves, he'll be only the third coach in FBS history to leave a high school program and immediately take over a Division I program. In six years, his Gorman teams went 85-5 with six state titles.

"Nothing has been decided yet," he said. "I'm just going to go home tonight and enjoy this with my family."

Boozer said he hopes Sanchez is happy with his decision.

"He's hands down the best coach I've ever played for," he said. "It was an honor to play for him."