Gorman searching for answers at quarterback

By Christopher Drexel

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 | 4:30 p.m.

The Bishop Gorman football team's season opening loss to Phoenix Brophy Prep on Aug. 23 left the Gaels with a major question — who will be their starting quarterback the remainder of the season?

Throughout the summer, Gorman worked out three at the position — Joe Huber, John Therrell and Chase Cresto — before deciding to start Huber against Brophy, the defending 5A Division I Arizona state champion.

Huber provided the Gaels' only score during the 16-6 loss at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., when he scrambled 79 yards on an option play during the first quarter. But coach Bob Altshuler said the ball was not delivered to open receivers on a number of occasions in the first half. By the start of the third quarter, both Therrell and Cresto took snaps in a game Gorman trailed in by three points until the final minute.

Neither was able to lead the Gaels to a score as they gained just 125 yards.

"We didn't go into the game with the intention of rotating quarterbacks, but we weren't getting the ball to the receivers," Altshuler said. "At the same time we were facing quite a pass rush from their defensive line.

"We don't know who will be our starter at this point, but we'd like to have one in place by the time league play begins. All three are capable kids."

Altshuler said Therrell would start when Gorman hosts Service High, from Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 29. If Therrell plays well, Altshuler said he will remain in the game. If he struggles, the other two could play again.

Whichever becomes the starting quarterback, the other two candidates will likely see significant time elsewhere. Huber saw action at flanker last season and also played cornerback during nickel formations against Brophy. Therrell started at safety against Brophy, while Cresto started at wide receiver and is a backup safety.

The new starter will be under pressure to replace Dylan Barrera, who passed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last season while the Gaels went 14-0.

Defensive end Justin Chaisson said he would like to see the Gaels settle on a starting quarterback as soon as possible.

"Each one has a different style and different footwork, which makes it harder on our offensive line," Chaisson said. "So if we can pick one it will be better.

"All these guys are starting fresh, so it will take them time to get everything down."

Chaisson, who committed to Oklahoma last spring, also played tight end against Brophy in an effort to spark the offense.

Led by Chaisson, Gorman's defense looked much like the unit that dominated Southern Nevada last season as it kept Gorman in the game until the end.

Brophy's initial touchdown in the first quarter came when it started 29 yards away from the end zone following a snap that flew over Huber's head.

Gorman didn't allow another score until less than a minute left in the game.

Later in the first quarter, Huber cut the Gaels' deficit to 7-6 with his touchdown run — the extra point attempt was blocked.

"I was glad I was able to touch the end zone in an NFL stadium because rarely does any high school team get to play in an NFL stadium, so that was cool," Huber said. "One of my best assets is being able to scramble and keep the play alive. But if I don't stay at quarterback, I will contribute somewhere else."

Altshuler elected to take a safety to make the score 9-7 with three minutes remaining before the half when Gorman faced fourth and long on their own 1-yard line. Brophy iced the game with a touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the game.

Though it was the first loss in 15 games, Altshuler said playing a top football team at the home of the Arizona Cardinals and last February's Super Bowl was a valuable experience.

The Gaels are breaking in an almost entirely new set of skill position players, many of which are coming from a junior varsity team that only played five games last season.

"Overall, our kids performed well," Altshuler said. "It was a very tight game, a low-scoring battle. I was impressed with Brophy's defense. They may have six Division-I kids. But the biggest thing is we got experience because most of our kids (on offense) didn't play a lot of football last year."

Christopher Drexel is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].