Live blog: Gorman finishes off Liberty for 7th straight title

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 | 10:20 a.m.

Updated Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 | 3:21 p.m.

The Bishop Gorman High football team is unstoppable. Again.

Junior running back Biaggio Ali-Walsh rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries today against Liberty at Sam Boyd Stadium in the Division I state championship game, and Gorman scored 28 unanswered points to open the second half in a 62-21 victory.

The Gaels finish undefeated for a second straight season, claiming their seventh straight state championship. They are also ranked No. 1 by USA Today and could win a second consecutive mythical national championship later this month. That, of course, is up to those who vote in national polls.

In Nevada, though, there is no doubt: The current dynasty is arguably the best in state history.

Tate Martell completed 6 of 8 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of scores in the second half, to help Gorman pull away.

Check back later for more coverage.

Gorman football pulling away from Liberty in state title game

Tate Martell found Tyjon Lindsey for a 32-yard touchdown two minutes into the third quarter to help the Bishop Gorman High football team add to its advantage over Liberty in the Division I state championship game.

The Gaels have extended their 20-point halftime lead to 48-14 after the third quarter.

Jonathan Schumaker added a 3-yard touchdown run for Gorman, who is 12 minutes away from a seventh straight state championship.

Biaggio Ali-Walsh has more than 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and is likely done for the day. He came up slow after being tackled near the goal line and limped off the field.

The Gaels don’t need their star running back. They have a 34-point lead and will soon close the books on a second straight undefeated season.

Gorman leads Liberty 34-14 at halftime, closing in on 7th straight title

Biaggio Ali-Walsh rushed for nearly 202 first half yards touchdown in the Division I state championship game, scoring three touchdowns to give Bishop Gorman a 34-14 lead against Liberty at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Ali-Walsh has scoring runs of 41, 26 and 58 yards — and wasn’t touched on either run.

Gorman appeared to take a five-touchdown lead late in the second quarter on a long touchdown pass from Tate Martell to Tyjon Lindsey, but the play was called back because of a penalty.

Liberty got the ball back a few plays later on a bad Gorman snap, and scored on a Kenyon Oblad short touchdown to Ethan Dedeaux on the last play of the half. It was the second time Oblad and Dedeaux hooked up for a touchdown.

Martell, a talented junior who is committed to Texas A & M, has completed just two passes. One was a long touchdown to sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan.

Ali-Walsh has three touchdown runs, Gorman in control 34-7:

The Bishop Gorman High football team’s offense has faced little resistance today in the Division I state championship game against Liberty at Sam Boyd Stadium. And we are still in the first quarter.

The Gaels have three touchdowns on three possessions, including touchdown runs of 41 and 26 yards run from Biaggio Ali-Walsh where the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year outraced the Liberty defense for uncontested touchdowns. Gorman, as expected by some, is cruising to a seventh straight championship with a 20-0 lead.

On Gorman’s first possession, junior defensive lineman Haskell Garrett scored on a 2-yard run. Garrett, a top 2017 defensive lineman recruit, returned to the lineup after missing the past six games with injury. This season, he also carries the ball on goal line situations, scoring the championship game’s first points.

Liberty has picked up first downs on its two possessions, but turned the ball over on downs at the Gorman 40. A few plays later, Ali-Walsh went untouched to the end zone.

Gorman puts championship streak on line against Liberty:

This is expected to be the Bishop Gorman High football team’s stiffest state championship game challenge. Liberty, they say, can hang with the Gaels.

We’ll soon find out if the Patriots are up to task with the Division I title up for grabs at 12:10 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium. The game will be broadcast on MyLVTV (Cox Communications, Channel 12) and also streamed online.

Gorman, the six-time defending state champion, hasn't lost to a Nevada opponent since 2008. It’s rarely been challenged, often winning by the mercy rule of a lopsided clock, including 50-0 last season against Liberty.

But, in the 2011 state semifinals, Liberty matched the powerhouse touchdown for touchdown early and trailed by just one point midway through the third quarter before losing by three touchdowns.

That’s how some feel today’s game will play out. Gorman, because of its player depth and superior talent at most positions, is expected to wear out Liberty over the course of the game.

Gorman hasn’t lost since October 2013 and is the reigning mythical national champions, meaning they were voted No. 1 in at least one final national ranking last season. They enter today ranked No. 1 by USA Today and would see their stock increase with a win because Liberty is also ranked regionally.

We’ll keep everyone posted once the game begins. Follow our coverage here or on Twitter @raybrewer21. Join the conversation using #sunstandout or #702hsfb.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21