Video: Bishop Gorman named national champs
Host Zack Poff reveals why Bishop Gorman was the emphatic choice as 2016 national football champs.
It was one of the toughest decisions in the life of Kenny Sanchez. Follow his brother Tony to UNLV or stay at
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and lead one of the nation's top high school programs.
By all counts, Kenny Sanchez made the right call.
For the second-straight season, the fiery defensive mastermind led the Gaels to a 15-0 record and national championship. And of all the Gorman teams that have been part of a string of eight straight state titles, this one is largely considered the best.
For not allowing the Gaels to get complacent, for lining up probably the toughest schedule in the country and then defeating it — handily — Sanchez has been selected the 2016 National Coach of the Year.
Gorman defeated six teams that were ranked at the time in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard by a combined total of 269-83. Overall, the Gaels outscored foes 794-130, recording five shutouts in the process.
"He's a great, great coach," Gorman third-year starting quarterback
Tate Martell said. "He understands what we go through with training, school work and practice, but still expects us to give everything we have every day."
Known for both his impassioned pregame speeches and ability to make halftime adjustments, Sanchez was also a players' coach. A dean at the school in charge of discipline, he knows when to respond with an iron fist or see the big picture, Martell said.
"He's always been someone I can come to and talk to about anything," Martell said. "I've never had a relationship with any coach like I do with coach Kenny. I'm definitely going to miss him."
Sanchez credited his team and coaching staff after finishing off the season with a resounding and startling 84-6 NIAA 4A championship win over Liberty (Henderson) — the team's 54th consecutive victory overall, the second-longest win streak in the nation.
How startling was it? Liberty (12-2) had a victory at then-nationally ranked Westlake (Austin, Texas) to open the season.
Utilizing what Sanchez called "laser focus," with a national title within grasp, the Gaels led 35-0 with 2:02 left in the first half and 56-6 at half. Sanchez took out Martell on the first play of the second half and star running back
Biaggio Ali Walsh one play later. There was no piling on.
"They wanted to finish things off," Sanchez said after the game. "All week they had been hearing that if they won they'd be one of the best teams in history. I told them then that it wasn't the time to think of that. I told them to wait until after you finish your business. Well, they finished their business. I guess they can start thinking about it."
Kenny Sanchez, the 2016 National Football Coach of the Year from Bishop Gorman.
Photo by Jann Hendry
