Gorman can add to program’s tradition in title game against McQueen

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 | 9:45 a.m.

There is room for more photos on the locker room walls at Bishop Gorman High.

Team pictures from past state football championship squads were hung by coaches last week to remind players of what they are playing for in the home stretch of the season.

One picture is from the 1983 title squad, the last Gorman team to win consecutive titles.

That could change Saturday when the Gaels take on Reno's McQueen High in the state championship game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Gorman is playing for its second straight state title and third crown in four years.

Gorman coach Tony Sanchez also included the photos during a presentation two weeks ago, stressing to players the program's rich history. He spoke about the past championship teams with great admiration, making sure players understood the significance of adding to the legacy.

"The pride and history we have here is second to none," Sanchez said. "We made sure the kids knew about the traditions and what they are playing for."

One of the photos shows lower-level coach Adam Hutchins holding the state championship trophy following one of the wins in the early 1980s. His son, junior Zach Hutchins, is part of this year's squad.

Gino DiMaria, Gorman's linebacker coach, also was part of the team that won consecutive crowns in the 1980s. Helping bridge the gap from both dynasties is something the men cherish.

"The team we have right now is definitely bigger and more athletic than the one we had my junior and senior year," DiMaria said. "But there are a lot of similarities. Both teams are well coached and disciplined. Chuck Gerber (Gorman's legendary coach) had the highest standards and demanded we reach them."

Gorman's program has been the standard in recent years for Nevada schools. It is 53-4 over the last year four years, with only one loss to a Nevada opponent.

Adding to the domination against McQueen will be easier said than done. The Lancers have won six state titles since 1990 and are playing in their third championship game in four years. They lost to Gorman in 2007 and beat Palo Verde by one point in 2008.

"Gorman is talented and very fast," McQueen coach Jim Snelling said. "They are big up front and they have been giving everybody one a heck of a time. There is a reason why they are in the state championship game. Just like there is a reason why we are in the game. (McQueen) is a great place to be. I'm very proud to be leading this football team."

Both teams will be without top players.

McQueen star running back Nick Shepard (leg) and wide receiver Rollins Stallworth (concussion) were injured in last week's state semifinals and aren't expected to play. Shepard, who was part of the 2008 title team, had rushed for 1,545 yards and 19 touchdowns this fall.

Gorman will be without sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon for the first quarter. Solomon was held out of practice earlier in the week while handling a disciplinary issue at the school. The team's policy requires any athlete to be held out of one quarter of game action for a missed practice.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Solomon was the Southwest Division's Offensive MVP this fall, passing for 2,240 yards and 38 touchdowns with just four interceptions.

Junior backup Makoa Tyndall will start in Solomon's place. Tyndall saw action late in several of Gorman's blowout victories, completing 13 of 24 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 13 times for 126 yards and two scores.

"That is the one good thing. Tyndall has received plenty of action when we are up on people," Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. "He got a ton of reps."

Tyndall isn't the lone second-string performer who has been relied upon. Earlier in the season, when junior tailback Shaquille Powell went down with a leg injury, sophomore Justin Sweet and freshman Nathen Starks picked up the slack without missing a beat.

Sweet received the bulk of the carries, gaining at least 95 yards and scoring one touchdown in the five games Powell missed.

"When Shaq got hurt, I knew I had to do my part," Sweet said. "I'm ready to go at all times."

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Starks was promoted from the junior-varsity team in mid-October and has rushed for 316 yards and four touchdowns in showing the Gaels will be in the thick of the race for the state championship for years to come.

Starks remembers sitting in the stands last year at Sam Boyd when the Gaels won the title. Now, he'll be on the field for the biggest game of the year. One day, it could be his photo coaches use to document the program's tradition.

"I'm going to make sure I savor the moment," Starks said. "It's really exciting knowing the coaches have confidence in me. This is a great spot to be in — freshman year and playing for state."