NOTES: Bishop Gorman picked to host Arizona power in Sollenberger Classic

Bishop Gorman believed its football team was practically banished from the Sollenberger Classic in 2012.

What a difference a couple of years make.

Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association executive director Eddie Bonine said Tuesday that the Sollenberger Classic is tentatively scheduled to take place at Gorman for the second straight year. The announcement came during the NIAA’s Board of Control meeting at Aliante.

The five-time defending state champion Gaels are scheduled to host Brophy Prep (Ariz.) on Aug. 22, followed by Reed against Mountain Pointe (Ariz.) on Aug. 23 at Gorman. Both games are tentatively scheduled to be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.

The NIAA and Arizona Interscholastic Association need to finalize details, but Bonine doesn’t expect any hurdles.

Mountain Pointe defeated the Gaels 28-21, and Liberty lost 42-7 to Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.) in last year’s event.

The Sollenberger Classic, in its ninth year, does not have a formal selection criteria but traditionally matches state champions from Nevada and Arizona. Gorman was passed over for the game two years ago, and the school believed the snub was retribution for its battle with the NIAA over membership status.

That prompted Gorman to make public records demands seeking NIAA cellphone records, emails, text messages and written materials concerning the Sollenberger Classic. Eventually, the AIA explained that Palo Verde, and not the Gaels, was chosen for the game to ensure competitive balance.

The Panthers went on to lose 20-10 to Desert Vista (Ariz.) at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Arizona has a 7-2 record over Nevada in the Sollenberger Classic since the showcase began inviting Silver State teams in 2008. Gorman is 1-3 in the event, including a 16-6 loss to Brophy Prep in 2008.

The Gaels are expected to be one of the top teams in the West again next season led by tight end Alize Jones, a UCLA commit, and wide receiver Cordell Broadus, the son of rapper Snoop Dogg. Broadus recently told Rivals.com he narrowed his top five college choices to Florida State, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Southern California and UCLA.

Brophy Prep went 5-7 in 2013 but featured a loaded sophomore class that includes running back Ryan Velez, linebacker Walker Adams and defensive end Dante Diaz-Infante, son of former NFL offensive lineman David Diaz-Infante.

■ RECRUITING WATCH — Shadow Ridge senior Ashley Pierce signed a letter of intent with Texas-Pan American for women’s track and field. … Foothill senior Ryan Moyes made an oral commitment to the University of Puget Sound (Wash.) for baseball. … Foothill senior Tyler Van Stone made an oral commitment to Hawaii Pacific for baseball.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.