FIELDER’S CHOICE: I’m no Gorman homer

A high school basketball player had a question for an acquaintance as they walked toward Bishop Gorman High’s gym for the Las Vegas Fab 48 tournament in July.

“Is this a high school or a college?” he asked while admiring Gorman’s Fertitta Field.

He might have been confused after parking next to the new Fertitta Athletic Training Center, which is between the size of a Wal-Mart Supercenter and the first Death Star.

High school football season is upon us, which means it’s time to pick games and watch the debate about Gorman’s place in the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association spiral into new heights of hysteria.

The Gaels are back on national TV tonight with an ESPN2 showcase. Tune in and you might see me grab the microphone to drop some knowledge on these season openers:

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) at Bishop Gorman

My Uncle Lefty eagerly is awaiting a real-life betting line on tonight’s game from www.5dimes.eu, which last year took action on Gorman as a 7½-point favorite over Armwood (Fla.).

Armwood won 20-17, but Gorman later won by forfeit when the Hawks had two seasons worth of victories erased for using ineligible players.

This raises two questions. First, did the guys who bet and lost on Gorman get a refund? Second, can someone parlay tonight’s Gorman game with the Findlay Prep basketball season opener?

As for tonight, rumor has it the ladies’ men have 14 players with major college scholarship offers. Cornerback Kendall Fuller is being compared to NFL star Charles Woodson.

But it might be Gorman running back Nathan Starks who strikes a Heisman pose in the end zone. The junior is set to emerge as one of the nation’s top prospects.

I’ve been accused of being a Gorman homer, but I’m about to prove my haters wrong by picking the Falcons. If the game later is ruled a forfeit, don’t come crying to me about your ripped-up ticket. ... Good Counsel by 3.

Sierra Vista at Chaparral

Line play could be a concern for the Mountain Lions, while the Cowboys appear to have some horses up front.

Chaparral running back Antonio Thomas is one of the area’s best-kept secrets, and it will be interesting to see how Chaparral runs the ball out of the gate.

But in an offseason of transfers, running back Deyon McKinney going from Clark to Sierra Vista flew under the radar compared with other teams’ acquisitions. McKinney’s potential will be on display tonight. ... Sierra Vista by 3½.

Western at Sunrise Mountain

Yes, someone has to win this game.

The Miners boast a four-year starting quarterback in Chris Moore, speed at running back and better depth across the board than in recent years.

Little is known about Western. Here’s hoping the Warriors can play a full season this year. ... Sunrise Mountain by 12.

Clark at Virgin Valley

This game is so intriguing, my friend Eric might drive to Mesquite to check it out and give me the scouting report. That is, if he’s done doing a happy dance that the three-team Class 3A Southern League has been expunged.

Both teams have question marks as they begin a season with goals of reaching the Division I-A postseason.

Teams in I-A are about to learn what the old 3A teams already know: Virgin Valley running back Dee Bowler is a weapon. ... Virgin Valley by 6.