Gaels start fast, rout Grizzlies

Bishop Gorman’s offense only possessed the ball for a total of 1 minute, 54 seconds in the first quarter of Friday’s Division I Sunset Region quarterfinal playoff game against visiting Spring Valley.

But by the end of the period, the Gaels had stormed to a 35-0 lead.

The four-time defending state champions cruised from there to defeat the Grizzlies, 56-0.

The Gaels (10-2) advance to face Arbor View (8-2) in next week’s semifinal round.

Gaels coach Tony Sanchez said he was pleased with how efficient his squad was on both sides of the ball against Spring Valley.

“We did a phenomenal job of tackling on defense, and we rallied to the ball really well,” said Sanchez, “and we got the ball on a short field a lot in the beginning of the game, and the offense did a great job of taking advantage of it.”

The Gaels offense outgained the Grizzles 331 to minus-2 yards in the first half.

Gorman senior quarterback Randall Cunningham – who came out of the game after the team’s first possession of the second quarter – led the way in the efficiency department in his brief time on the field.

Cunningham threw touchdown passes of 80 and 11 yards, and rushed for scores of 5 and 23 yards.

“We just wanted to start fast, and we just kept up good momentum,” said Cunningham, who was starting his first playoff game. “I feel like we just focused on what we needed to do to win the game, because we want to make sure we are the best team we can be at this point.”

On his first pass of the game, Cunningham found Brandon Gahagan in the middle of the field at the 35, and Gahagan did the rest, dashing to the right sideline and zipping all the way to the end zone to complete the 80-yard scoring play.

“It was just a crossing route by my slot receiver. I threw it a little bit behind him, but he made a great catch and took it all the way,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham completed 3 of 4 passes for 129 yards, and added 59 rushing yards on five carries.

“We try to improve the whole year, and then once we get to the playoffs, we try to work on the little things that we might have messed up,” Cunningham said. “I feel like we are where we need to be right now to keep winning games, and by the time state comes, we will be at our best.”

Daniel Stewart ignited the fast start for Gorman, returning the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.

Riley Hoff and Alize Jones also had touchdown receptions for the Gaels.

Alex Perry returned a fumble on a backwards pass by Spring Valley 81 yards for Gorman.

“When you look back the last couple of years, we were playing our best football at the end of the year,” Sanchez said. “We have always been pretty sharp in the playoffs, and our kids know what is at stake.

“Every week, someone is going to want to come punch us in the mouth, and we have to be ready. We have to continue to climb, and get better as we get closer to our goal.”