Gaels rout Palo Verde in final tune-up for postseason run

After Bishop Gorman's performance Thursday night at home against Palo Verde, it would be an understatement to say the Gaels are ready for a run to their seventh-straight state championship.

The Gaels racked up 585 yards of offense as top-ranked Bishop Gorman rolled to its ninth consecutive league title with a 70-3 whipping of the Panthers for the Southwest League crown.

Palo Verde head coach Joe Aznarez decided to rest several of his starters Friday, but it didn't matter to the Gaels.

Junior running back Biaggio Ali Walsh rushed for a 65-yard touchdown on the opening play of the game, and the Gorman rout was on.

"We can't worry about what other teams do, we can only take care of ourselves," said Bishop Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez. "It's like seeing someone driving a new car and you're on the sidewalk wishing that was you. I tell my players go after what you want and take it, don't watch."

Gorman (10-0, 4-0 Southwest) did more than just watch. The Gaels had seven first-half scoring drives, each of less than 67 seconds.

Ali Walsh rushed three times for 177 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, and teammate Tate Martell threw for three scores and ran for two more as Gorman built a 56-3 lead at the half.

The Gaels have won 72 straight games against Nevada opponents, dating back to a loss against Palo Verde in the Sunset Region final in 2008.

"We will never apologize for our success, because our kids do work hard," said Sanchez. "It's mind blowing to think we have had that type of success over the years. But again, we will not apologize for it. These kids work hard and prepare each week for the game at hand."

Beside the game-opening score, Ali Walsh had TD runs of 31 and 81 yards for the Gaels. Martell threw scoring passes of 78 yards to Jalen Nailor, 7 yards to Austin Arnold and 38 yards to Tyjon Lindsey. The junior quarterback added touchdown runs of 7 and 2 yards.

Malik Hausman returned an interception 90 yards for a score, and teammate Troy Wilewski scored on a 58-yard run for Gorman.

Palo Verde's only points came on a 38-yard field goal by Aaron Mack after Gorman fumbled a punt.

The Panthers (4-5, 3-1 Southwest) gained just 48 total yards, 19 in the opening half.