Clint Jenkins
Alize Jones soars high to catch the game-winning touchdown for the Bishop Gorman High football team in the closing second at Bergen Catholic of New Jersey on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 | 1:45 p.m.
The Bishop Gorman High football team has had more than its share of signature wins against stiff out-of-state competition over the past four seasons.
Saturday’s 20-17 victory at Bergen Catholic of New Jersey might go down as one of the best.
The Gaels’ Alize Jones caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Randall Cunningham II with about one minute to play, capping a score-or-lose drive where Gorman didn’t flinch.
Earlier on the game-winning drive, Terrance Chambers grabbed a crucial pass on third down to give Gorman a first down. A few plays later, Cunningham hooked up with Jones for their second scoring strike of the day to help Gorman win for the fourth time in five games against respected national opponents.
And, of course for Gorman, the game had extra significance because it was defeated last year at home against Bergen.
“That was a huge program win for us,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “Any time you take a high school team (from Las Vegas) to New Jersey to beat a team that beat you last year, that’s a great win.”
The Gorman defense stole the show in holding Bergen to just 17 points, especially lineman Zack Singer, Sanchez said. Singer also plays center and proved to be a difference maker on both sides of the ball.
“That kid is as tough of a kid as I have ever coached,” Sanchez said. “Zack Singer dominated the line of scrimmage. He didn’t leave the field on offense or defense.”
Sanchez also said linebacker Nela Otukolo and safety Nicco Fertitta were impact players defensively. Offensively, Kenyan Coker had a 1-yard touchdown run.
“Our defense played their tails off,” the coach said.
It’s the second time Gorman (4-1) has rallied for an end-of-the game victory, also winning in overtime two weeks ago at Santa Margarita. And, in their lone loss against Mountain Pointe of Arizona to open the season, Gorman nearly rallied at the end before losing by seven points.
“We always come back at the end and give ourselves a shot,” Sanchez said.
Gorman doesn’t play next week. On Oct. 4, it will host Booker T. Washington of Miami, which is ranked No. 1 nationally. The game will be on ESPNU.
“We’ve got the No. 1 team in the country coming in and we can’t wait,” Sanchez said.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
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