Sollenberger Classic opts for Palo Verde instead of Gorman

So when the three-time defending state champion Gaels were recently passed over for the season-opening Sollenberger Classic, some made assumptions. Namely, that Gorman’s exclusion was tied to the school’s ongoing discussion about its future with the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

Donnie Nelson, assistant director of the NIAA, said Wednesday there was no truth in those assumptions.

“There was a philosophical discussion about, ‘Who do we want to play in the game?’ ” Nelson said of talks between the NIAA and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. “The philosophy was to get different kids a chance to play and get to experience a first-class event put on by the state of Arizona. To have the same team over and over play in this game defeats that ideal.”

Palo Verde is set to play Desert Vista of Phoenix and Moapa Valley meets Blue Ridge of Lakeside, Ariz., in this year’s event, slated for Aug. 18 at a site to be determined in Arizona.

Gorman has played in three of the past four Sollenberger Classics, including a 42-22 victory over Chaparral of Scottsdale, Ariz., last season.

However, the first two years of the event in 2006 and 2007 featured only Arizona teams. Nelson stressed it is a misconception that the game automatically features state champions from Nevada and Arizona.

“It was not designed originally to have a perennial state champion playing in the game,” Nelson said. “Over the course of the last few years, it has worked out to be like that, but that was not the original intent.”

Phone messages left with four AIA officials were not returned Wednesday.

Palo Verde went 11-1 last season, losing to Gorman in the Sunset Region title game. Nelson said it would have been difficult to include Reed or Nevada 3A state champion Truckee (Calif.) based on travel expenses.

“Arizona (pays) the bill for everything. It’s a huge expense,” Nelson said. “You’re not going to send a bus from Reno to Phoenix or Flagstaff.”

Because Palo Verde accepted its invitation to play in the event, Liberty was never offered a chance to play. Liberty won last year’s Sunrise Region title and was within 28-27 of Gorman in the third quarter of the state semifinals before losing, 56-34.

Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said he was surprised the Gaels were not invited to return to the event, but added his program has a schedule intact with four games against national opponents.

“It was a little bit of a surprise,” Sanchez said. “We had a great experience and developed some good relationships there.

“Our athletic director talked to the NIAA, and they felt like they had a change in philosophy.”

Sanchez said the Gaels plan to open their season at home against Our Lady of Good Counsel of Olney, Md., on ESPN on Aug. 24. Gorman also plays St. Louis of Honolulu, Bergen Catholic of Oradell, N.J., and Servite of Anaheim, Calif.