Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

No lead is safe: Gorman football stunned in final seconds at Arizona school

Las Vegas Sun's 2021 High School Football Media Day

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Bishop Gorman High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on August 3rd, 2021. They include, from left, Jj Bwire, Jake Taylor and Zion Branch.

Bishop Gorman surrendered 18 points in the final 70 seconds on Friday night at Hamilton High of Arizona in a shocking 25-24 loss.

Gorman, ranked in the top-10 nationally, led 24-7 before giving up what seemed to be a meaningless field goal with 1:10 remaining.

But Hamilton recovered the ensuing onside kick, and a few plays later, scored a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining to bring the deficit to 24-17.

Still, nothing to worry about for Gorman, right?

Well, Hamilton recovered a second onside kick and again drove the length of the field to score, this time with eight seconds left.

Hamilton quarterback Nicco Marchiol, who threw both touchdown passes in the comeback despite being banged up, rushed in for the winning points on a 2-point conversion. Marchiol, who is committed to West Virginia, proceeded to vomit on the sidelines.

When he limped onto the field in the final minutes, in what appeared to be mop-up duty in a game that was already decided, the ESPN announcers questioned why Hamilton would risk further injury. Yet, he ended up winning the game.

It’s being labeled as a “comeback of the ages,” and rightfully so. In an understatement, Hamilton coach Mike Zdebski told the Arizona Republic that Marchiol was a “tough kid who knows how to finish.”

Gorman built the lead thanks to the rushing of William Stallings Jr., who carried the ball 24 times for 160 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Micah Alejado rushed for a touchdown, and also passed for a score to Zachariah Branch.

But the star on this night was Marchiol, who passed for three touchdowns and led the epic comeback in front of a national television audience. For more, check out these highlights: