Gorman football coach Sanchez: ‘We have no legacy yet’

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Forget about how the Bishop Gorman High football team is playing for its seventh straight state championship Saturday, or how a victory against Liberty High could potentially give the powerhouse Gaels a second straight mythical national championship.

Forget about how they haven’t lost since October 2013 and how Gorman’s junior class has double-digit players who are high-major college recruits, signaling the program’s dynasty isn’t going anywhere soon.

When they take the field at 12:10 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium, expecting a challenge from a Liberty squad that also has positioned itself into a regional brand, the Gaels will be just like any team playing for a title.

They’ll have nervous energy in anticipation of kickoff with the hope of adding their team to Gorman’s dynasty.

For some, it will be their first chance to win a championship ring, raise the trophy in celebration and snap pictures with family after the game. For others, it will be their last high school game, or last game altogether.

That’s a fact not lost on players, who cherish getting to be part of the only game in town on the first Saturday in December. If they win, the nation's No. 1-ranked team by USA Today would have a strong case to be voted mythical national champs by at least one of about six final rankings later this month.

“I’m excited, very excited,” said Gavin Pancirov, Gorman’s senior defensive lineman. “What’s going to be most memorable is it’s my last game as a senior and being a high school football player. Whether it is state or not, playing the last time with my brothers will be memorable for me.”

While they’ve been challenged in the past two weeks, the Gaels have still won by a comfortable margin — 18 points two weeks ago against Arbor View in the Sunset championship game, and 28 points in last week’s state semifinals at Reed. Their winning streak is at 38 games, including beating Liberty 50-0 in last year’s state semifinals.

“Next week is a different beast. It’s a state championship game against a program that has dominated Nevada for seven years,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco said last week after his team won the Sunrise Region championship.

Part of the preparation process for both teams is forgetting last year’s game. Muraco has long preached to players they aren’t as bad as a seven-touchdown defeat, and Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez knows they shouldn’t expect another running-clock victory.

Some feel this will be Gorman’s stiffest challenge in its seven consecutive championship game appearances. That includes Sanchez.

“You have to have a short memory. Last year should have no impact at all,” Sanchez said. “We won't talk about it around here. There are only two teams left at this time of the year. It’s the playoffs, if you lose there is no regroup and get ready for next week.”

Gorman’s offense averages 49.6 points game, including in games against a who’s who of six national opponents. The skill-position players from its junior class — five-star quarterback Tate Martell, a Texas A&M commit, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and running back Biaggio Ali-Walsh — have the speed and ability to break loose for a long touchdown on seemingly every play.

Ali-Walsh, the grandson of boxing great Muhammad Ali, was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday. He’s rushed for 2,187 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. Martell, who passed for nearly 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, won the award last year. Lindsey has scholarship offers from the likes of Ohio State and USC.

“Everything is a mental game,” Ali-Walsh said. “If we focus on our assignments individually and do what we are supposed to do on the field, and we have done that every game, that has led us to score a lot.”

And defensively, Gorman hasn’t blinked. It has 16 interceptions, 28 sacks and has given up 20 or more points just once in 14 games. In four playoff games, it has surrendered just 33 points.

That’s a credit to Sanchez, who has been the Gorman defensive coordinator since 2009 when he and older brother, Tony Sanchez, came from Northern California to build the Gorman dynasty. Tony Sanchez left after last season’s national championship to become UNLV’s coach and Kenny was quickly promoted to head coach.

He hasn’t relinquished his duties as defensive coordinator, going to great lengths to prepare his team for Liberty’s dual offensive attack.

Liberty sophomore quarterback Kenyon Oblad is a rising star with multiple scholarship offers, and junior wide receiver Ethan Dedeaux is one of the state’s best, finding success when Liberty runs its spread-option attack. The Patriots also mix in power running plays, giving the opposition fits all season.

Some thought Gorman might not be as dominant with the younger Sanchez calling the shots. It’s just Kenny Sanchez’s Gaels might be better. Well, pending a victory Saturday.

“We have done anything yet,” Sanchez said “We could go 14-1 and I wouldn’t be the man. Right now we aren’t even state champions. We have no legacy yet. We are just a good football team.”

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