Bishop Gorman allows points to Nevada team, still rolls to victory

Bishop Gorman’s streak has ended.

No, not the winning streak over Nevada teams. But the Gaels’ defense did allow a score for the first time since Sept. 16 — a span of 34 quarters — during Thursday’s 51-6 home victory over Faith Lutheran’s football team.

“They do a great job over there, you can tell they run a really good program, they’re getting better every year,” Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez said. “We’re more talented than they are, we’re more talented than anyone in the city. But I don’t care what anyone says about Gorman, they know not anything is just given to them. We treated this week like it was Mater Dei week.”

But it wasn’t the nation’s top-ranked Mater Dei, which snapped the Gaels’ 55-game win streak on Sept. 1. It was the 94th consecutive in-state victim for the eight-time defending state champions.

Getting plenty of offense from a wealth of weapons, the Gaels (10-2) out-gained Faith Lutheran, 388-186.

Running back Amod Cianelli rushed for 125 yards on 18 carries, including a 5-yard touchdown, and tight end Brevin Jordan added two 1-yard rushing TDs to lead the Gaels.

Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 8-for-8 through the air for 100 yards, and added a 5-yard touchdown on the ground.

The Gaels were dialed in from the start, as they forced a three-and-out on Faith Lutheran’s first possession, and then used a nine-play drive to open the scoring on Zavien Ragsdale’s 3-yard touchdown run.

Gorman blocked a punt on the Crusaders’ next possession, which resulted in a safety when the ball went out of the back of the end zone. The Gaels then used seven plays to extend their lead to 16-0, when Jordan galloped in from a yard out.

“It’s fun, because when I line up back there I know I’m getting the ball,” Jordan said. “I’ve always played running back, so I’m used to carrying the ball. So when I get back there it’s fun, it’s showtime.”

Trailing 44-0, the Crusaders were able to celebrate momentarily when Gronauer connected with Dalton Kincaid on a 61-yard touchdown. Faith Lutheran became the first team from Nevada to score on Gorman this season.

“As soon as (Faith scored), it was like a dagger to the heart,” Gorman linebacker Palaie Gaoteote said. “We’re going to pick it up for next week and make sure everybody’s on the same page and locked in. But right now, the level of competitiveness we’re playing with is just great.”

Gorman will host Arbor View (10-0) next Friday for the Sunset Region championship.

“The grind is consistent,” Jordan said. “With us, it’s one game at a time. That’s all we’re really looking at. We’re taking it one game at a time, and now we’re focused on Arbor View.”