The Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Liberty (Henderson, NV) today at 6 p.m. at Bishop Gorman High School. This matchup is part of the “2024 NIAA Football Playoffs – 5A Division I State” tournament.
Liberty vs Bishop Gorman Football Game Info:
What: Nevada High School Football Playoffs
Who: Liberty vs Bishop Gorman
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Liberty vs Bishop Gorman
The stage is set for an exciting high school football playoff matchup between Liberty (Henderson, NV) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV). With the game scheduled for 6 p.m. today, fans are eager to see if Liberty can pull off an upset after a tough regular season.
Team Overview
Liberty (5-6 overall, 3-3 league) enters this game with a solid but challenging season behind them. Despite some strong individual performances, they’ve struggled at times, especially on the road, where they hold a 2-2 record. The Liberty offense has averaged 22.6 points per game, with standout players like quarterback Elijah Espinoza, who has thrown for 146.1 yards per game, and running back Ezra Sanelivi, leading the ground game with 77.8 rushing yards per game. The team’s defense has been steady, averaging 46.8 tackles per game.
On the other hand, Bishop Gorman (9-1 overall, 6-0 league) has been nothing short of dominant this season. They remain undefeated in league play and boast one of the highest-scoring offenses in the state, averaging 45.5 points per game. Quarterback Maika Eugenio has been sensational, throwing for 148.5 yards per game, while the dynamic running back Aizen Torres contributes heavily both in rushing and receiving. Defensively, Bishop Gorman has been a force, holding teams to just 101 points across the season.
Last Matchup
The teams last met on September 27, 2024, when Bishop Gorman won in commanding fashion, shutting out Liberty 49-0. The performance highlighted the gap between the two teams, with Bishop Gorman’s offense clicking on all cylinders and their defense stifling Liberty at every turn. Liberty will need to regroup and make adjustments if they hope to turn the tide in this playoff rematch.
Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Liberty’s strength lies in its passing game, led by Elijah Espinoza, and its ability to make plays in critical moments, as evidenced by their wins over teams like Desert Pines and Foothill. However, they’ll need to improve their consistency, particularly on defense, to handle Bishop Gorman’s high-powered offense.
Bishop Gorman has been nearly unstoppable, dominating both offensively and defensively. Their ability to balance the run and pass, with players like Maika Eugenio and Aizen Torres, makes them a formidable opponent. The team also excels in creating turnovers and disrupting opposing offenses, as seen by their lopsided victories over teams like Coronado and Basic.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced a common slate of opponents this season, with Bishop Gorman holding a perfect 5-0 record against them, including big wins over teams like Coronado (51-0) and Basic (63-0). Liberty, on the other hand, has a 4-2 record against the same group of teams, with losses to Arbor View (31-28) and Bishop Gorman (49-0). The performance against these common opponents further illustrates the disparity between the two teams.
Key Matchups
The key to Liberty’s success will be limiting the big plays from Aizen Torres and Maika Eugenio, while finding a way to exploit Bishop Gorman’s defense. Liberty’s offensive line will need to create lanes for Ezra Sanelivi and give Elijah Espinoza enough time to connect with his top targets, including Jordan Wade, who leads the team in receiving yards.
For Bishop Gorman, the focus will be on maintaining their balanced attack. Their offensive line, which has delivered 13 pancake blocks this season, will play a critical role in establishing the run, while Eugenio and Torres can punish Liberty through the air and on the ground.
Looking Ahead
This playoff game is a chance for Liberty to prove they belong among the elite in Nevada high school football. However, they’ll need a flawless performance to overcome the juggernaut that is Bishop Gorman, who has shown little weakness all season. With both teams having faced strong competition, the game promises to be a thrilling contest, with Bishop Gorman likely entering as the heavy favorite.
Final Thoughts
While Liberty has had a solid season, Bishop Gorman’s overall dominance makes them the team to beat in this playoff matchup. However, high school football is known for surprises, and Liberty will look to make this a game to remember. Fans can expect a hard-fought contest, with Liberty needing to play its best football to stand a chance against one of the nation’s top-ranked high school programs.
Will Bishop Gorman continue their dominance, or will Liberty find a way to shock the state in this high-stakes playoff game? Only time will tell.
