Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun
Bishop Gorman defenders, from left, Trevor Stuart, Tim Wilkinson, Jalen Grimble and Ian Bobak, cheer from the sidelines during a home game against Desert Oasis.
Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Championship week is upon us
Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Steve Silver break down the 4A high school football state championship between Bishop Gorman and Del Sol.
If you go
- WHAT: 4A state championship football game
- WHEN: 12:07 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5
- WHERE: Sam Boyd Stadium, 7000 E. Russell Road
- COST: $5 for students, $7 for adults
Related content
- Del Sol seeks upset against powerhouse Gorman in state finals
- Reed honored as Nevada’s top player
- Del Sol’s silent leader primed for state championship
- Del Sol coach has the respect of his players, peers
- Playoff format produces all-Las Vegas state title game
- Gorman is the highest scoring prep team in the nation
- Bishop Gorman crushes Reed to head to state championship
- Notebook: Impact of Bishop Gorman's Grimble goes beyond the box score
Team pages
Expanded coverage
Tim Wilkinson doesn’t need the attention and doesn’t care about the accolades.
The only recognition the Bishop Gorman senior defensive tackle needs will come on Saturday when the Gaels play in the large-school state championship football game against Del Sol.
That’s when Wilkinson, the player several consider the heart-and-soul of the valley’s most feared team, will receive the ultimate reward — a chance to cap his high school career with a state championship.
On a defense that features four with major Division I scholarship offers, teammates credit the 5-foot-11, 280-pound Wilkinson as being a difference maker.
“Anyone who knows football at any level realizes how valuable Tim is to our team,” said defensive end Alex Turner, a Stanford commit. “If it weren’t for guys like Tim we wouldn’t have this good of a defense.”
Wilkinson, however, is content with his contributions going unnoticed. He’s simply happy to be part of an undefeated Gorman team that is having a dominating season.
“I’m just like everyone else on this team,” Wilkinson said. “I just try to do my job.”
Wilkinson is one of seven Gorman seniors who were part of the 2007 state title team. The others, like Turner and linebacker Evan Palelei, have been more celebrated.
But that doesn’t mean they are more valuable, especially when you consider Wilkinson’s team-first mentality.
“Everyone on our team looks up to Tim. He is just fantastic,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said.
Wilkinson, who often faces double teams, has 67 tackles and 8.5 sacks this fall. Still, unlike several of his teammates, he hasn’t been contacted by recruiters.
His older brother, Gorman alum DeAngelo Wilkinson, plays for Colorado State and Wilkinson believes he has what it takes to reach the next level.
“My dad tells me to be patient about (recruiting) and that good things will happen,” Wilkinson said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Wilkinson and the Gaels defense will be tested in the championship game against Del Sol. The Sunrise Region champion Dragons take pride in running the football, meaning Wilkinson could be the key in Gorman’s winning a second crown in three years.
“When you come in and work hard like (Wilkinson), everyone follows suit,” Sanchez said.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy