Bishop Gorman without a game but unphased by the change

Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman coach Tony Sanchez had already released his fall football schedule when he found out that he was actually without a game.

The Gaels had plans to travel to Encino (Cali.) Crespi for a return contest on Sept. 12 against the Celts when Sanchez was informed that the SoCal program had scheduled a guarantee-game against Lawndale (Cali.) High for the same date.

He was taken aback but not upset about being forced to rearrange his slate of games.

“I am perplexed,” he said. “I thought we had a two-year deal and we owed them a home game.

“Troy Thomas is a good guy and I believe it was a more of a miscommunication deal than him trying to leave us out.”

With the late change of plans, options for Sanchez may be limited but he expects to find a game.

The issue that could arise is finding the right opponent.

Sanchez said that he likes the games against opponents in Southern California due to the proximity and the ability to play lower level games but isn’t locked into a regional game.

“The bad thing about all of this is that if we aren’t playing Crespi we would ideally need to find someone that can also play our Frosh and JV teams,” he said. “We like to have three LA schools on the schedule because it is a bus ride and gives our younger guys eight games.

“If we try to host someone we would have five home, non-conference games and only one away game.”

As it stands now Sanchez said he is going to work the phones and see who is still available.

Bishop Gorman has hosted a handful of out-of-state teams in the past but most all have been television games that helped cover expenses.

The Gaels are already playing one such game this year with Bellflower (Cali.) St. John Bosco making the drive to the desert and unless the program could land a major opponent it is unlikely that promoters would pay to bring another team into town.

Sanchez said that he would consider a road contest if the finances worked out and that while options to travel a great distance is always enticing it may not be affordable.

“We travel a lot of people,” he said. “We would love to play another Florida team but getting there could be tough for us.”

The Gaels are expected to be a Preseason HSFB100 Top 25 team again this season and are preparing to go against Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy in the annual Sollenberger Classic before going on the road to play Anaheim (Cali.) Servite, and then home for South Jordan (Utah) Bingham, Rancho Santa Margarita (Cali.) Santa Margarita, as well as St. John Bosco.

The Varsity Board: Should Bishop Gorman be more upset by this or could it be addition by subtraction?