Solomon has slow start, fine finish in Gaels’ rout

Jarrett Solomon's first five pass attempts fell incomplete Friday night. After that, Bishop Gorman's sophomore quarterback was nearly flawless.

Solomon passed for 244 yards and five touchdowns and also supplied 118 yards rushing to spark the Gaels to a 49-14 home victory over Arbor View in the semifinals of the Sunset Region playoffs.

"I think he kind of settled down a bit," Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. "He could do that week in and week out. We've just kind of held it back, but he is a dual threat. Now that we're in the playoffs, we've got all cylinders going, and (Solomon) has just done a heck of a job."

Gorman (11-2) won its 24th straight game against Nevada opponents to advance to the Sunset championship game for the fourth consecutive year. The Gaels visit rival Palo Verde (12-0) for the region championship at 1 p.m. Nov. 27 with a trip to the Class 4A state final at stake.

Solomon finished 9-for-15 passing, firing only one incompletion in the second half. He connected with Ryan Smith for touchdowns of 13 and 80 yards and Trey Perry (29 yards), Jalen Grimble (9) and Jamir Tillman (31) for single scores.

"I'm really proud of my teammates, especially my offensive line," Solomon said. "It feels great how we played."

Solomon amassed his 118 yards rushing on only four carries, including runs of 44 and 66 yards.

He found Smith open down the middle for the 80-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage in the second half to help Gorman build a 28-0 lead.

Arbor View (10-2) ran 59 plays to only 44 for Gorman, but the Aggies' double-wing rushing attack was no match for the Gaels' quick-strike offense. Gorman had four touchdown drives of two plays or less.

Shaquille Powell rushed for 94 yards on nine carries for Gorman, and Tillman caught three passes for 62 yards.

Grimble, a defensive end who has committed to Southern California, led the Gaels' defense with two sacks.

"I always say, if you're a good football team, you're practicing on Thanksgiving," Sanchez said. "We have another opportunity to do that, so I'm proud of our guys."

Arbor View's Donnie Gaskin carried for 173 yards on 23 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Henry Hoffend ran for a 1-yard score in the third for the Aggies, who rushed for 258 yards.

The defeat ended a breakthrough season for Arbor View, which finished second in the rugged Northwest League and qualified for the postseason for the first time.

"I think Arbor View's on the map, and we're proud of that," coach Dan Barnson said. "We've got a lot of kids coming back. We'll let this all kind of sink in and get to work on next year."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.