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Gorman schedules tough football test

Bishop Gorman's football team passed every test in Tony Sanchez's first year as head coach. The Gaels went unbeaten, won the Class 4A state title and outscored opponents 798-135.

This year, their first exam comes early.

Gorman will play Hamilton (Ariz.) in the annual Sollenberger Classic on Aug. 21 in Flagstaff, Ariz. The rest of Nevada's teams won't take the field until the following week.

Hamilton won the Class 5A Division I state championship last season, and is ranked 19th nationally by maxpreps.com. Gorman is No. 23.

''Hamilton's got such a great reputation, it's nice to be able to go out and have a tough game,'' Sanchez said. ''We know they're a team very capable of putting a hurt on you if you're not prepared. The kids know right off the bat you've got to be sharp if you want to be successful.''

It will be the third year Nevada's large-school state champion has taken part in the event. Gorman lost 16-6 to Brophy Prep (Ariz.) in 2008, and Centennial (Ariz.) beat McQueen 51-20 last year.

It won't be the only tough game on Gorman's schedule. The Gaels play Del Oro (Calif.) on Aug. 28, and De La Salle (Calif.) on Sept. 25. Del Oro was 11-3 last season, and De La Salle went 13-2 and won California's Division I state title. De La Salle set a national record with a 151-game winning streak from 1992 to 2003.

''We did a good job of going out and making sure we're going to challenge our kids,'' Sanchez said. ''If you want to be the best, you've got to play the best.

''Our kids are champing at the bit. They've got that fire in their belly, and they're excited about it. They'll be ready to go.''

Contact prep editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.

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