No. 1 Bishop Gorman takes Reno by storm

RENO, Nev. — In the "Biggest Little City in the World," about 140 kids from "The Entertainment Capital of the World" invaded a basketball gym at Bishop Manogue High School on Friday night.

Seventy brawny football players from the nation's No. 1 football team Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), along with about 35 peppy band members and 35 athletic cheerleaders rooted on Gorman's nationally ranked boys basketball team which was in the semifinals of the Wild West Shootout.

The football players flailed fists, jumped up and down and often fell over in amazement during a dunk-filled third quarter that propelled Gorman to an 83-39 win over Capital Christian.

"Those guys get up," Gorman middle linebacker and leading tackler Nela Otukolo said.

Especially 7-foot Stephen Zimmerman, one of the nation's top 10 seniors according to virtually all recruiting lists. Zimmerman's head was at the basket for at least a half-dozen of his dunks, sending the Gaels into a frenzy.

The roles figure to be reversed Saturday at high noon, when the football players take on Reed (Sparks) for the state Division I title at Damonte Ranch (Reno)..

The basketball players will be in the stadium, the band and cheerleaders in full force as the Gaels look to win their sixth straight state title with head coach Tony Sanchez holding the reins.

What would make this title quite different is that for all intents and purposes, a victory, certainly a decisive one, would all but seal a mythical national championship.

The Gaels (14-0), buoyed by an impressive six-game streak to start the season against a murderer's row of top competition, are No. 1 in both the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and computer rankings.

In fact, Gorman is a consensus No. 1 with PrepNation and USA Today as well.

Earlier in the season, Sanchez was reluctant to speculate on a mythical national title because so much was out of his team's control. But now that it appears within their grasp, all the Gaels can see the big, bright No. 1 sign in the sky.

And it's flickering blue and orange.

"Never in my wildest dreams before I got here did I think about a national title," said Otukolo, who transferred to Gorman from Hawaii before his junior season. "Now that it's within grasp, heck yes I'm thinking about it. We all are. Our dreams are about to become our reality."

Sanchez a Rebel? What would make it ultra sweet, almost poetic, is that this could be Sanchez' last game as Gorman's head coach.

For the last three weeks, he's been in discussion with UNLV to possibly replace departed coach Bobby Hauck. A television report late Wednesday indicated he will be the next UNLV coach.

Sanchez denied the report, said he hasn't made up his mind, nor would say he's been offered the job.

"No decision has been made by either party," he told Ray Brewer of the Las Vegas Sun Wednesday.

On Friday, nursing a soar throat due to all the extra demands made from media interviews and general parties from both Gorman and UNLV and all those interested in between, Sanchez appeared quite relaxed and at peace.

Sort of like a man at the end of an ambitious and laborious six-year journey to reach the pinnacle. He needs 48 more minutes of solid football from his Gaels to reach there.

The question then is whether he wants a new challenge or to push the future Gorman kids to lofty heights.

But in true, focused Sanchez fashion, the title game is Saturday. That's all that matters.

"Listen, the last three weeks have been both tough and terrific," he said. "If I take a step back, it's really all good. All of it.

"The reality of it too is none of this right now should be about me. This is about the kids. This is their time, their quest for a state and national championship. Period."

Never wavered Gorman's season resume includes wins over Utah 5A state champion Bingham (South Jordan) and Arizona Division I semifinalist Brophy College Prep (Phoenix.).

The most impressive two wins, however, came over Centennial (Corona) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower), two current Top 25 teams which are battling for the title of the Pac-5 Division Southern Section 16-team tournament in California.

It might be the single most taxing tournament in the country.

Equally impressive is how Gorman has taken care of business over the last eight weeks, against lesser competition, recording five shutouts while outscoring opponents 477-26.

"The intensity and work effort has never wavered with this group," Sanchez said. "It's an uncanny group in that regard."

Said Otukolo: "The coaches have done an amazing job keeping us focused and working one day at a time. Look where it's led us."

No matter what Sanchez decides, this will be the last high school game that he coaches Otukolo. The team co-captain said Sanchez made sure in a team meeting this week not to play for their coach, to play for one another and the school.

Asked what it has been like playing for Sanchez, Otukolo didn't hold back. Just as he doesn't chasing down ball carriers. 

"On the field, he's really not your friend," he said. "He's your coach and he's tough to please. But off the field, he is very special, someone unforgettable. He is like a father figure to me and to many of us."

Game notes: Sanchez said All-American tight end Alize Joness (UCLA commit) likely won't play due to injury. ... Notre Dame-bound safety Nicco Fertitta broke his left hand last week and is questionable. Well, at least according to doctors. "I'm playing," he said emphatically. ... Sophomore quarterback Tate Martell has been nearly perfect with 2,337 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and two interceptions. ... Russell Booze leads a trio of superb backs with 1,559 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. ... The receiving core is deep, led by Cordell Broadus (38 catches, 9 touchdowns) and Tyjon Lindsey (30-762-12). ... Jones leads the team with 41 catches and 13 TDs. ... More impressive than Gorman's balance — 3,273 rushing yards, 3,038 passing - is only seven turnovers. "All season," Sanchez reaffirmed. "Seven!" ... Reed, led by dual threat QB Matt Denn (2,600 total yards, 34 touchdowns) has won five straight. ... Jorden Carter has rushed for 1,458 yards and 19 touchdowns.