Gorman routs Desert Oasis despite gaffes

Victor Belen rushed for three touchdowns as Bishop Gorman overcame a series of special teams miscues to defeat visiting Desert Oasis 42-11 on Thursday night.

Belen scored on runs of 25, 8 and 2 yards. He finished with 155 yards on 16 carries.

Gorman (5-0, 4-0 Southwest League) led just 21-11 at halftime despite scoring on three of its four possessions.

Two Diamondbacks punts hit Gorman players, and Desert Oasis (2-2, 1-2) recovered both. The second led to a 30-yard field goal by Brennen Stott that cut the lead to 21-11 with 38 seconds left in the first half.

The Gaels also had a bad snap on a punt attempt that led to a safety when punter Collin Ditsworth was forced to cover the loose ball in the end zone.

Desert Oasis capitalized on the ensuing possession, when Stott scored on a 19-yard run to cut the lead to 14-8 with 9:55 to go in the half.

"These guys came out and gave us something to think about, and I'm sure that's going to be the case next week against Green Valley," Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said.