Gorman defense shuts down Spring Valley to set up ‘slugfest’ with Arbor View

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 | 11:29 p.m.

Bishop Gorman allotted no time for celebration after getting out of the first round of the playoffs unscathed.

As soon as Bishop Gorman wrapped up its 56-0 trouncing of Spring Valley, the Gaels shifted to their focus to next week’s matchup. Gorman will welcome Arbor View, which similarly routed Legacy 40-0, to Fertitta Field next Friday in the Sunset Region semifinals.

“We’re really excited about them coming in here and having a good old-fashioned slugfest,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had one, all the way back to early in the season with the national games.”

The Gaels were the only team doing the slugging versus the Grizzlies. Gorman held its old division rival to less than 50 yards of total offense.

Senior linebacker Chris Lalli — “hands down the best defensive player in the whole state,” Sanchez said — led the charge early with several tackles. Sophomore defensive end Michael Geraghty chipped in a couple sacks.

Late in the game, freshman Alex Perry scooped a fumble and ran 80 yards for a touchdown.

“Defense was lights-out all night,” Sanchez said.

Offense and special teams weren’t shabby either. Daniel Stewart returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.

A turnover gave the Gaels the ball back at the one-yard line, and Jonathan Shumaker punched in a score. Randall Cunningham had contributed four touchdowns before halftime, the highlight being an 80-yard pass to Brandon Gahagan.

Sanchez rested his starters in the second half where they presumably began thinking about the Aggies.

“We expected Arbor View to do what they did tonight,” Sanchez said. “You hate to say you were disappointed not playing someone, but we thought that was who we were going to match up against last year and it didn’t happen. It’s nice that these two programs are going to be able to get together and go after it this year.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.