RECRUITING: Hard work pays off for Gorman’s Peko

Playing time isn’t easy to come by on Bishop Gorman’s football team.

On a roster regularly stocked with elite college prospects, even the best players have to show consistent improvement to keep their spots.

In the case of cornerback Togasii Peko, extra work paid off not only with a starting gig as a senior, but with a scholarship to a Football Bowl Subdivision program.

Peko made an oral commitment to Navy on Sunday at the conclusion of his official recruiting visit to the Annapolis, Md., campus.

“The (Navy) education is one of the best, also the football program,” Peko said. “It’s like they’re a big family there. Everyone looks out for each other.”

Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said Peko, who also had scholarship offers from Southern Utah and Colorado School of Mines, earned his starting spot as a senior through hard work.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 175-pound cornerback was a physical presence in the Gaels’ secondary on his way to earning first-team All-Southwest League honors.

“He earned it as a senior,” Sanchez said. “To turn it into a scholarship to the Naval Academy, it’s amazing. We’re proud of him.

“At the end of the day, it was his hard work. He willed himself to play at a high level.”

Peko, who also drew interest from Air Force, excelled in stopping the run as part of a 2010 defense that recorded eight shutouts.

Gorman (13-2) won its final 10 games, including a 40-0 rout of McQueen in the Class 4A state final to capture its second straight championship.

“I think I just grew in confidence this year,” Peko said.

Peko joins Gorman defensive end Jalen Grimble (Southern California), safety Evan Zeger (Washington) and center A.C. Patterson (Texas-El Paso) as seniors to make commitments heading into the Feb. 2 signing day.

Peko will be reunited with two former Gorman teammates at Navy in outside linebacker Evan Palelei and offensive tackle Sam Womack.