From left to right: Shaquille Powell, Ronnie Stanley, Jarrett Solomon
Photo by Jann Hendry
Following a 4A title-winning season in 2010 with a young team, Bishop Gorman will be difficult to contain in 2011.
The Gaels return quarterback
Jarrett Solomon and running back
Shaquille Powell, both of whom could be the top players at their respective positions in Nevada this season. They'll have the benefit of lining up behind an offensive line that features
Ronnie Stanley,
Ron Scoggins and three other returning starters.
Bishop Gorman will be able to dictate the pace of most games by grinding out first down after first down. However, head coach Tony Sanchez can also rely on Solomon to pick apart defenses through the air — he tossed for nearly 2,500 yards last season.
Defensively, the Gaels will return five starters but will also rely on some impressive young talent, including sophomore
Zack Singer, a U.S. Air Force Freshman All-American last year.
Nathan Starks, who may also see some carries on offense, could be a factor in the secondary. He's incredibly talented with great speed; it will be difficult to keep him off the field.
While detractors find it hard to believe that one of the nation's best teams can reside in Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman has an opportunity to prove its mettle against the likes of
Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.),
Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) and
Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) this season and show why the Gaels are one of the country's elite in 2011.
"What's really impressive is that you look at their line and everyone returns. They have Division I kids everywhere there and add in skill guys like Shaquille Powell and Jarrett Solomon and even very talented backups, they really should be able to score on anybody at will. The big question is will they be able to stop people. You can't go in against teams like Chaparral and Armwood without a strong defense. Their coaches put in so much time I'm pretty certain that it will all get taken care of. If they can get through the first couple weeks, they should definitely be a Top 10 team."
– Ray Brewer, Las Vegas Sun sports editor
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