Bishop Gorman Rolls Past Chandler 35-14

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

What was supposed to be one of the marquee national high school football games of the weekend turned into a cruising victory for the Gaels when Bishop Gorman upended visiting Chandler 35-14.

Both squads are loaded with Division-I talent but the game took an upsetting turn early when Chandler (Arizona) 4-star running back Chase Lucas suffered an ugly right knee injury on the Wolves’ opening kickoff. Lucas had a nice 32-yard return before his knee buckled during a clean tackle.

After Lucas’ injury, Chandler quarterback Mason Moran and N’Keal Harry were the offensive playmakers for the Wolves.

The Gaels scored their first touchdown on a 1-yard plunge by Class of 2017 defensive tackle Haskell Garrett Jr. (6’2”, 279). Chandler responded with a 15-yard touchdown run on a Mason quarterback keeper. On the following possession running back Biaggio Ali-Walsh, grandson to Muhammad Ali, broke off a 55-yard run pushing the score to 14-7.

Chandler was held on the following possession then junior Gorman quarterback Tate Martell (Texas A&M) connected with junior receiver Tyjon Lindsey on a 30-yard touchdown pass stretching the lead to 21-7.

Mason scored Chandler’s second touchdown on another run, this one a 44-yard scamper into the end zone to pull within 21-14 but then the Gaels started shutting down Chandler’s offense. Ali-Walsh scored off a screen pass moving the score to 28-14. Jonathan Shumaker added the insurance score for the Gaels on a 22-yard touchdown run. Ali-Walsh ended the night with 104 rushing yards on 15 carries and three receptions for 66 yards.

Bishop Gorman, the defending 2014 high school national champions and winners of six consecutive Nevada state championships, earned Kenny Sanchez his first victory as head coach. Sanchez’s brother, Tony, was hired by UNLV as their head coach at the conclusion of the 2014 college football season. Kenny was the defensive coordinator for the Gaels last season making a smooth transition of leadership in the locker room.

The Gaels face highly rated Bingham in Salt Lake City next week.

Photo credit: lasvegassun.com; No. 7 Biaggio Ali-Walsh scores on a 55-yard run up the middle vs. Chandler.