Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Bishop Gorman football beats old foe Liberty for regional title

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Steve Marcus

Bishop Gorman players celebrate with their trophy after beating Liberty, 56-14, in the Class 5A Southern Region football final at Liberty High School in Henderson, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Bishop Gorman Defeats Liberty, 56-14, in Southern Region Final

Bishop Gorman head football coach Brent Browner, center, celebrates with his team after Bishop Gorman defeated Liberty, 56-14, during the Class 5A Southern Region final at Liberty High School in Henderson, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Launch slideshow »

The Bishop Gorman football team had 28 points at halftime tonight against Liberty — two touchdowns from the offense and two from the defense.

Quincy Davis’ fumble return of 40 yards and Jeremiah Hughes’ 63-yard interception return for a touchdown helped propel Gorman to a 56-14 victory and Southern Regional championship. The defending state champion Gaels play Bishop Manogue of Reno Nov. 19 for this year's state final matchup in Carson City.

DeVon Rice and Elija Lofton had first-half rushing touchdowns for the Gaels, who were sluggish early on offense before blowing the game open in the second half.

“The defense has been playing well all year. They showed up tonight,” Gorman coach Brent Browner said. “We joked at halftime that is was 14-14 — offense vs. defense.”

The second half outburst for Gorman included a 60-yard touchdown run from Micah Kaapana, and Micah Alejado touchdown passes to Trech Kekahuna and Zachariah Branch.

It was Gorman’s second straight regional championship game win over Liberty, making amends for losing to the Patriots in the 2019 regional finals. Tonight's opponents are widely considered the best in the state, and many considered tonight the state championship game.

And getting to play on Veterans Day made the evening that much more special, Browner said. "What an honor — getting to play on Veterans Day," he said. "We are so appreciative of everyone who served."

Gorman, like it has done against all Nevada opponents this season, is expected to beat Bishop Manogue next week by the mercy rule of a running clock. Isaiah Lauofo had a pair of touchdown runs for Liberty, giving the Patriots the first touchdown against Gorman since mid-September. The streak included six straight games with a shutout, which was broken last week when they surrendered a field goal against Desert Pines.

Browner said the team is cherishing the final weeks of the season and looking forward to one last game — in the state capital of all places.

“It is special. They guys are locked in. They love it,” Browner said. “We are lucky to have those types of kids to coach.”