Gaels-Grizzlies showdown features contrasting styles
It's an explosive offense against a stingy defense.
But neither Bishop Gorman nor Spring Valley has faced an opponent quite like the one it will see tonight when the football teams meet at 6 p.m. at Spring Valley.
The top-ranked Gaels (6-0, 2-0 Southwest Division) have averaged 47.3 points per game, and they have scored 50 or more in four consecutive games.
But Gorman has yet to play a big-time opponent, at least locally. The Gaels' six opponents have gone a combined 16-22, and the two local teams Gorman has beaten have gone 3-10.
The Gaels take on a Spring Valley defense that has allowed an average of 10.7 points per game. The seventh-ranked Grizzlies (6-1, 3-0) have given up 10 points or fewer four times, including a streak of three straight.
But Spring Valley hasn't seen an offense quite like the one Gorman will put on the field.
"I don't think that up until this point we've played a team that has as many weapons on offense and does as good a job of spreading the ball out as these guys do," Spring Valley coach Johnny Macon said.
The Gaels showed their versatility last week. Thirteen different players had at least one rush, and six of them scored rushing touchdowns. Three other players caught passes, which included another score.
The team's top threat, senior running back Keola Antolin, had just four offensive touches, but he found the end zone on a 75-yard punt return, his fourth return for a touchdown this year.
"We're very versatile on offense," junior guard Vince Nicotra said. "We have a lot of different backs, and everybody runs it really well or catches it really well, so it's hard for the defenses to get used to covering so many different players at different positions."
Antolin, who has committed to Arizona, remains the team's offensive leader. He has rushed for 537 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per carry, and also is a serious threat both as a receiver and return man.
"Keola is not somebody that you stop," Macon said. "He's somebody that you try to contain and limit the number of big plays that you have."
Fullback Beau Orth also has been a rushing threat, gaining 214 yards on 30 carries and scoring 10 TDs. When the team decides to pass, quarterback Dylan Barrera has been extremely efficient, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 943 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's yet to throw an interception.
Spring Valley counters with its own balanced offense. The Grizzlies have averaged 178 rushing yards and 134 passing yards per game this season. Stefan Klein has been the top threat with 727 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Spring Valley isn't as explosive as Gorman is. The Grizzlies have topped 30 points just once but have scored 20 or more in every game.
"We're just working," Macon said. "We're trying to control the clock and trying to do things that are going to help us right now and later on down the road. We're definitely not where we want to be offensively, but we're definitely on a good track."
After absorbing a 76-6 pounding at the hands of the Gaels in 2005, Spring Valley topped Gorman 28-14 last year in the Gaels' homecoming game.
That game has given this year's meeting more importance, at least for Gorman.
"It just makes the game that much more fun when there's an emotional factor to it," Gaels junior free safety Charles Childers said.
Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-4587.
Preps Central
Today’s Games All times 6 p.m. unless noted Foothill at Coronado Del Sol at Silverado Eldorado at Desert Pines Chaparral at Las Vegas Canyon Springs at Rancho Sierra Vista at Bonanza Durango at Clark Bishop Gorman at Spring Valley Cheyenne at Centennial Cimarron-Memorial at Arbor View Shadow Ridge at Mojave Palo Verde at Legacy Basic at Green Valley, 7 p.m. Boulder City at Virgin Valley, 7 p.m. Faith Lutheran at Pahrump Valley, 7 p.m. Lincoln County at The Meadows, 7 p.m. Calvary Chapel at Pahranagat Valley, 7 p.m. KEY GAMES Del Sol (6-0, 4-0 Southeast) at Silverado (6-0, 3-0) -- The winner takes control of the Southeast Division. The game will feature two of the area’s premier rushing teams. Silverado averages 323 rushing yards per game, and the Dragons average 259. Del Sol beat the Skyhawks twice last year: 43-21 during the regular season and 29-28 in the playoffs. Chaparral (1-6, 1-3 Northeast) at Las Vegas (4-3, 2-1) -- It’s gut-check time for the two-time defending Class 4A state champions. The Wildcats hadn’t lost to a local team since the state title game in 2004 before falling 20-7 to Valley last week. Canyon Springs (5-1, 3-0 Northeast) at Rancho (4-3, 1-2) -- After a 4-0 start, the Rams have dropped three straight and need a win to get back into the playoff picture. That may be tough to get against the third-ranked Pioneers, who are averaging 42.2 points per game behind star quarterback Devonte Christopher (1,692 passing yards, 24 touchdowns). Lincoln County (5-1, 2-0 2A Southern League) at The Meadows (4-2, 1-0) -- The winner will have a leg up in the Southern League. The Lynx have dominated the last three meetings, winning by a combined score of 103-38.
