The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s Realignment Committee is working overtime. The committee has been working for several months to find a solution on how the state’s football programs are aligned for the 2023 season.
At the center of the discussion is national-power Bishop Gorman that has won 12 of the last 13 state titles in the state’s largest classification. The Gaels, who finished No. 5 in the 2022 High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football, have dominated its Nevada opponents for more than a decade. Last year, BG outscored its in-state opponents 574-23.
Related: 2022 HSFA national rankings
The committee has offered several plans that range from creating an Open Division to one that would allow Gorman to play only one out-of-state game. The latter idea was shot-down by the committee last week.
Gorman has made a name for itself by playing and beating high-profile teams from around the nation. The Gaels were 5-1 against out-of-state opponents in 2022 with wins over No. 9 Chaminade-Madonna (Florida), No. 86 Corner Canyon (Utah) and No. 92 Hamilton (Arizona). The Gaels only loss was to No. 4 Mater Dei (California).
According to various media reports, it looks like the committee is now focusing on splitting Class 5A into three sub-divisions. The divisions would be 5A-I, 5A-II and 5A-III with Gorman and other southern Nevada schools being separated from northern schools.
Here’s what the divisions could look like:
Class 5A-I (South): Arbor View, Bishop Gorman, Coronado, Desert Pines, Liberty, Silverado, Shadow Ridge
Class 5A-II (North): Bishop Manogue, Damonte Ranch, McQueen, Reed, Reno, Spanish Springs. Class 5A-II (South): Basic, Faith Lutheran, Durango, Foothill, Green Valley, Las Vegas, Sierra Vista
Class 5A-III (North): Carson, Douglas, Galena, Hug, North Valleys, Wooster. Class 5A-III (South): Cimarron-Memorial, Clark, Desert Oasis, Legacy, Palo Verde, Rancho, Spring Valley
Under the above alignment, the state would crown champs in all three 5A divisions.
The teams are placed in their respective divisions using the NIAA’s rubric system that ranks teams. It is reported that one team in each of the 5A divisions could be moved each year based on the rubric system.
Whatever the plan is, it is expected that it won’t be voted on for approval until March.
Bishop Gorman against Out-of-State Opponents through the Years
2022
- Beat Corner Canyon (Utah) 42-7
- Lost to Mater Dei (California) 24-21
- Beat St. Louis (Hawaii) 56-14
- Beat Hamilton (Arizona) 45-0
- Beat Brookwood (Georgia) 70-10
- Beat Chaminade-Madonna (Florida) 49-14
2021
- Beat St. Louis (Hawaii) 42-21
- Beat Miami Central (Florida) 21-20
- Beat Lone Peak (Utah) 35-7
- Lost to Hamilton (Arizona) 25-24
2020 No Games due to COVID-19
2019
- Beat Orem (Utah) 40-7
- Lost to St. Louis (Hawaii) 31-19
- Beat Servite (California) 42-21
- Beat Lone Peak (Utah) 28-21
2018
- Lost to Mater Dei (California) 42-0
- Lost to Centennial (Arizona) 13-7
- Beat Orem (Utah) 31-21
- Lost to De La Salle (California) 27-21
2017
- Beat DeMatha (Maryland) 35-23
- Lost to Mater Dei (California) 35-21
- Lost to Miami Central (Florida) 24-20
- Beat De La Salle (California) 34-7
2016 – High School Football America National Champs
- Beat Cedar Hill (Texas) 44-14
- Beat Cocoa (Florida) 46-10
- Beat St. John Bosco (California) 35-20
- Beat Kahuku (Hawaii) 35-7
- Beat St. Thomas Aquinas (Flroida) 25-24 in 3OTs
2015
- Beat Chandler (Arizona) 35-14
- Beat Bingham (Utah) 38-20
- Beat Bellevue (Washington) 35-7
- Beat Long Beach Poly (California) 52-13
- Beat Servite (California) 38-7
2014
- Beat Brophy Prep (Arizona) 44-0
- Beat Servite (California) 48-27
- Beat Bingham (Utah) 23-20 in OT
- Beat Corona Centennial (California) 43-42
- Beat Santa Margarita (California) 41-10
- Beat St. John Bosco (California) 34-31
2013
- Lost to Mountain Pointe (Arizona) 28-21
- Beat Servite (California) 41-17
- Beat Santa Margarita (California) 34-31 in 2 OTs
- Beat Crespi (California) 42-9
- Beat Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) 20-17
- Lost to Booker T. Washington (Florida) 28-12
2012
- Beat Good Counsel (Maryland) 27-22
- Beat St. Louis (Hawaii) 52-40
- Lost to Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) 42-35
- Beat Servite (California) 42-0
2011
- Beat Chaparral (Arizona) 42-22
- Lost to Armwood (Florida) 20-17 – Gorman awarded forfeit after season
- Beat Servite (California) 31-28
2010
- Lost Hamilton (Arizona) 24-17
- Beat Del Oro (California) 38-13
- Lost to De La Salle (California) 28-14
2009
- Beat Dixie (Utah) 48-14
2008
- Lost to Brophy Prep (Arizona) 16-6
- Beat Service (Alaska) 24-0
- Beat Archbishop Riordan (California) 13-0
- Beat Dixie (Utah) 20-14 in OT
2007
- Beat Kennedy Catholic (Washington) 30-0
- Beat Dixie (Utah) 35-0
- Beat Rock Bridge (Missouri) 61-19
- Beat Upland (California) 50-33
2006
- Lost to Gilmer (Texas) 56-14
- Beat Dixie (Utah) 34-22
- Lost to Rock Bridge (Missouri) 34-0
2005
- Beat Battle Ground (Washington) 63-14
2004
- Beat Battle Ground (Washington) 47-35
- Lost to Colton (California) 38-14
