Playoffs unable stunt Bishop Gorman’s shutout streak as Gaels roll

Bishop Gorman’s dominance of the Nevada portion of its schedule continued into the postseason Friday, as the Gaels’ football team rolled to more than 600 yards of offense and a 59-0 home win against Palo Verde in the Sunset Region quarterfinals.

Through seven in-state games, the Gaels (9-2) have yet to allow a point.

Gorman’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for four touchdowns on nine completions, with Brevin Jordan on the receiving end of two scores, including an 86-yard screen pass in the second quarter on third-and-40. The Gaels’ defense held the Panthers to 76 yards for the game.

“I thought we played really well, for the first round of the playoffs,” coach Kenny Sanchez said. “I think we rushed for more yards than we have all year, and I can’t say enough about the effort defensively, they’re just playing lights out right now.”

Amod Cianelli had a 74-yard touchdown drive by himself, taking four runs the length of the field, including a 59-yard score on the first play of the second quarter. Less than a minute later, JoJuan Clairborne returned a fumble for a score, and the rout was on with the Gaels up 28-0.

The best drive of the game for the Panthers (4-6) was its first of the second half, which featured a 21-yard reception by Daniel Bellinger, combined with a pass interference penalty on Gorman, to put the ball inside the Gaels’ 35-yard line. But a fumbled snap turned the ball over, and Thompson-Robinson’s fourth and final touchdown pass of the night went to Jimmy Telles on the ensuing drive.