Gaels respond to Sanchez’s style

Only two quarters into his Bishop Gorman football coaching career, Tony Sanchez knew it was time to have one of those "conversations" with his team.

Tied at 14-all in the season opener at Dixie (Utah), the Gaels were treated to an urgent halftime talk by Sanchez. His words hit home quickly, as Gorman outscored Dixie 34-0 in the second half for a 48-14 victory, and the Gaels never let up the rest of an unbeaten season.

The talent and resolve Gorman showed in its first win of the season was on display in its 15th, a 62-21 victory over Del Sol in the Class 4A state championship Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"I knew we had the talent to accomplish it. I just didn't know if we could get them in tune, so to speak," said Sanchez, who replaced Bob Altshuler after last season.

"It happened at halftime of the Dixie game. We had a good conversation, and they realized at that point it was either going to be my way or the highway."

Sanchez admitted it was a one-sided conversation, more like a monologue. From then on Gorman outscored opponents 784-121. That's a 663-point differential in the span of 141/2 games.

"He came in and made sure everybody got their head straight for the season," senior tight end Xavier Grimble said.

It could have been tough for Sanchez to earn respect. For the seniors, he was their third head coach. Many of those seniors will play college football.

"He didn't come in and say he was going to change everything," senior defensive end Alex Turner said. "He just made us be responsible for our actions and take the season into our own hands."

The players and assistant coaches responded well to that.

As the points and wins kept piling up and Gorman made each look easier than it likely was, the bond between coach and team grew stronger.

"I'm kind of an in-your-face guy, high expectations every day," Sanchez said. "For them to not big-time me ... Never once did a kid miss practice, never once did a kid talk back to me. ... They're a special group of human beings.

"People have the misconception that you can't coach kids hard in this day and age. You can if you tell them you love them, and if you get on them, never let them leave without telling them you appreciate how hard they're working."

Gorman entered the title game as just about everyone's pick to win convincingly. That didn't matter to Sanchez, who wasn't going to take any chances. When he came out to practice Monday and saw some of his players not giving their all, it was time for another "conversation."

And time to start practice all over again.

"You'd think the guy would let up just a little, but he was on us all practice," Grimble said. "He's a great coach. He knows what he has to do. You've got to have a tough heart to play for him. He'll get on you, but it's because he wants the best for you."

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.