Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock DoctorWe set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Kenny Sanchez
Last season: 13-2, No. 13 national ranking, finished the year on 12-game win streak and beat Reed (Sparks) 48-7 in the 4A state championship game.
Last decade: 140-9
Famous alumni/players: Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta, Former UFC owners; Joey Gallo, Texas
Rangers first baseman; Tate Martell, Ohio State QB; DeMarco Murray, Tennessee
Titans RB; Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens OT.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 0; 4-star recruits — 0; 3-star recruits — 9
Head coach Kenny Sanchez
Photo by Jann Hendry
— Bowens takes over at quarterback. Expect the junior to be one of the most exciting gunslingers in the country.
DE Treven Ma'ae (6-4, 240, Sr.) — One of the most talented defensive ends in the West.
RB Amod Cianelli (5-10, 190, Sr.) — He and 4-star running back
Ikaika Ragsdale give the Gaels a legit one-two punch in the backfield.
ATH Falcon Kaumatule (6-8, 220, Sr.) — Expect a big year on both sides of the ball from the mammoth senior.
CB Kyu Kelly (6-1, 160, Sr.) — The 2019 Stanford commit is the son of former NFL cornerback Brian Kelly. Expect the ceiling to get even higher for one of the most talented cornerbacks on the West Coast.
Athlete Falcon Kaumatule
Photo by Jann Hendry
— vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Aug. 31 — at Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.)
Sept. 7 — vs. Orem (Utah)
Sept. 14 — at No. 18 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Quarterback Micah Bowens
Photo by Jann Hendry
• Bishop Gorman has been a top program since the Sanchez brothers came to the program. The Gaels have finished in the Top 25 rankings every year since 2010 and have won nine consecutive state titles entering 2018. All Kenny Sanchez has done is go 43-2 in his first three seasons after his brother, Tony, left for UNLV.
• This year's roster might not be as loaded as we usually see with Bishop Gorman, but don't let that fool you. The talent is there and expect the Gales to lean heavily on a strong running game and good defense.
Beau Taylor, a 2019 UCLA commit, leads an offensive line that should make it easy for Bowens under center.
• When was the last time a Gorman roster didn't feature a 5- or 4-star recruit?
• The Gaels start the 2018 season against Mater Dei, the defending National Champions who snapped Bishop Gorman's 55-game winning streak in 2017. You know Gorman will be ready for Aug. 24 in Las Vegas.
Bishop Gorman is seeking a 10th consecutive state championship this season.
Photo by Jann Hendry
