Nevada's high school football season kicked off on Friday as Bishop Gorman (Division 1) blew out Las Vegas Centennial (Division 3) in a battle of reigning NIAA 5A state champions.
Bishop Gorman led 45-0 at halftime and won 52-0 with a running clock and its second unit out there for most of the second half.
The Gaels came out with some game one jitters and were turned over on downs at Centennial's 1-yard-line in the opening minutes, but it was all Bishop Gorman from there.
Bishop Gorman quickly responded by forcing a safety, and its offense was on the board halfway through the first quarter on a touchdown from Maika Eugenio to Isaiah Nickels. The senior Hawaii commits connected for a touchdown again four minutes later to put the Gaels up 16-0, and Pesi Silva Jr. recorded a pick-six on Centennial's next play from scrimmage to make it 23-0 with 2:05 left in the first quarter. Zyren Micah Menor scored Bishop Gorman's next two touchdowns on passes from Eugenio, and Tausa’afia Taufa-Langi had an interception-return touchdown with 2:19 left in the first half to give Bishop Gorman a 45-0 lead.
With most of the Gaels' starters sitting, the game's only score of the second half was a highlight touchdown run from Braylon Rayford, who evaded tacklers for 56 yards off an inside handoff with five minutes left in the game.
The Gaels now head to Hawaii powerhouse Kahuku, who they blew out to open 2024. Their biggest game – possibly the biggest in all of high school football – is at home on Sep. 19 against reigning national champion Mater Dei (CA). Centennial looks to regroup next week but it won't be easy on the road against formidable Utah team Desert Hills.
Scroll down for updates and scoring from the game.
Pregame
Bishop Gorman is in pursuit of its second national title in three years and starts the season ranked second in the country by The Sporting News. The Gaels have won 151 of their last 152 games against Nevada competition, and feature some of the biggest names in high school football such as preseason All-American seniors DE Prince Williams (Arizona) and S Jett White (Oregon). Other top players to watch on the star-studded Gaels include QB Maika Eugenio (Hawaii), CB Hayden Stepp, and WR Massiah Mingo (New Mexico), the latter of whom is a senior transfer from Sierra Canyon (CA).
Centennial returns some of its top players as well in QB Ashton Hunt, DB Jhbari Christmas, DB Domonique Vaughn, and DL Robert Smith, and is expected to debut 3-star transfers WR/DB Maxwell Miles (Cesar Chavez, AZ) and OL Randle Pollard (Leuzinger, CA). While almost nobody in high school football can go star-for-star with Bishop Gorman, the Bulldogs are getting a well-earned chance to test themselves before the stakes get higher as the season goes on. If Centennial manages to give Bishop Gorman a competitive game, it can approach every other game this year knowing it can compete with anybody.
Centennial vs. Bishop Gorman live updates, results
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Bishop Gorman wins 52-0.
FOURTH QUARTER:
4:59 – Bishop Gorman 52, Centennial 0: Braylon Rayford takes an inside handoff from around midfield to the house in highlight fashion with help from great downfield blocking, bouncing off would-be tacklers for an epic touchdown.
After a scoreless third quarter, Bishop Gorman still leads 45-0 with the fourth quarter on the way.
THIRD QUARTER:
Bishop Gorman leads 45-0 at halftime. The second half will start shortly.
SECOND QUARTER:
2:19 – Bishop Gorman 45, Centennial 0: It's gotten ugly fast. Tausa’afia Taufa-Langi intercepts a throw made from Centennial's end zone and takes it back for a score.
4:04 – Bishop Gorman 38, Centennial 0: Menor takes a short screen pass more than 50 yards to the house, and Bishop Gorman inadvertently picks up the conversion on a botched snap/hold that was intended to be a PAT.
10:12 – Bishop Gorman 30, Centennial 0: Eugenio launches a dime to Zyren Micah Menor from well past midfield for his third touchdown pass of the game.
FIRST QUARTER:
2:05 – Bishop Gorman 23, Centennial 0: Bishop Gorman wastes no time making it a three-score lead as Pesi Silva Jr. picks off the Bulldogs and takes it to the house on the first and only play of their drive.
2:15 – Bishop Gorman 16, Centennial 0: It's a two-score game after a 14-yard touchdown pass from Eugenio to Nickels.
6:21 – Bishop Gorman 9, Centennial 0: The Gaels' offense is on the board with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Maika Eugenio to Isaiah Nickels.
8:31 – Bishop Gorman 2, Centennial 0: The Bulldogs' momentum is short-lived as Bishop Gorman forces a safety.
8:46: Centennial's defense stands strong in the red zone and takes over around its own 4-yard-line.
11:04: Bishop Gorman forces a three-and-out and takes over with the ball around midfield.
Centennial vs. Bishop Gorman start time
- Date: Friday, Aug. 22
- Time: 7:00 p.m. PT
The opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 22. The game will be played at Centennial High School in Las Vegas.
MORE: How to watch Las Vegas Centennial vs. Bishop Gorman