This honor is not bestowed every year.
Rather, it’s reserved for the best of the best—an accomplishment so noteworthy that it merits special recognition.
Sun Standout Awards 2024
The best of the best might be the only way to describe the Bishop Gorman football team.
Out of 16,000 high school programs in America, the Gaels were voted as national champions by USA Today and MaxPreps.
Yep, No. 1 of 16,000 is special.
Gorman’s undefeated season included wins over notable foes from California, Florida and Utah. The Gaels outscored opponents 596-185. And in the final seven games, they surrendered just 65 points.
“It was such a great way to end our high school career,” linebacker Charles Correa said. “I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. It was a lot of challenges that we had to face, both mentally and physically. We had to come together and get through it.”
Gorman’s lineup was elite. Take quarterback Micah Alejado, who was picked as the national player of the year after completing 77% of his passes for 2,700 yards and 35 touchdowns.
He had no interceptions. Correct—not one single turnover.
Eight Gorman seniors received scholarships to some of the nation’s top collegiate programs, including wide receiver Audric Harris signing with Washington. Harris had more than 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as Gorman averaged 49 points a game. Others signed with Kansas State, Nebraska, Iowa State and UNLV.
Alejado said the drive to be national champions was a constant theme in training. Players embraced the challenge during the initial workouts last winter.
“It started in January,” he said. “This team had the determination to win the national championship. We had the dedication to go after our goals.”
Gorman is far from finished.
More than 20 players on next season’s roster have scholarship offers. That includes wide receiver Derek Meadows, who had eight touchdowns in the championship season and is being courted by Michigan and Notre Dame. Safety Jett Washington and defensive lineman Prince Williams are two of the nation’s premiere defenders—and just sophomores.
That means Gorman will likely enter the season ranked in the top 5, and again pursue another run of excellence.
“Bringing attention to Las Vegas high school football is truly special because there are so many great players in the city,” Correa said. “More importantly, there are so many great people, especially at Gorman. These guys are my brothers for life.”
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