No. 2-ranked Bishop Gorman awakens for football rout over Sierra Vista

After going 10-plus quarters without giving up a point, Bishop Gorman not only gave up points for the first time in nearly a month

Thursday, but the No.2-ranked Gaels actually fell behind host Sierra Vista.

That lasted 92 seconds.

Victor Belen scored the first of his four rushing touchdowns on a 7-yard run to snuff out the Mountain Lions’ brief lead and started an onslaught of 62 consecutive points as Gorman rolled to a 62-6 come-from-behind victory.

Belen, who finished with 91 rushing yards on six carries, also scored on runs of 24, 19 and 17 yards. Belen said falling behind Sierra Vista (0-4, 0-3 Southwest) early didn’t bother the Gaels.

“We practice hard every week to get to state. We don’t practice so much for these games,” Belen said. “These games are just steps. We don’t disrespect any team.

“We win with class, and we are working to get to the top.”

Belen’s first touchdown put Gorman (4-0, 3-0) back on top after Sierra Vista kicker Christian Rodriguez picked up his own blocked field goal and ran 10 yards to the end zone to make it 6-0 midway through the first quarter.

After Belen scored on Gorman’s opening drive, Shaquille Powell added a 5-yard touchdown run less than three minutes later, and Belen scored again from 24 yards out with three seconds left in the quarter to put the Gaels in control, 21-6.

“Coach put an article on the wall by some journalist saying we weren’t getting any better, and it really inspired us to be really physical and tough and just beat them,” said Powell, who rushed for 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also had 44 receiving yards. “I think we have the best line and the best running back core in the state. There were some big holes.”

The Gaels outgained Sierra Vista 461-171 in yards of offense.

Taylor Spencer closed the first half with a 65-yard interception return for a score, and Xavier Grimble hauled in a 77-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Solomon on the opening drive of the third quarter for Gorman, which will play its first home game of the season next week.

“It was hard playing those road games,” Powell said. “You get tired on the bus going all the way to Pahrump and Dixie. It will be good to be home.”