The Faith Lutheran girls and Bishop Gorman boys needed one goal apiece to cap unbeaten seasons with Class 4A state championships Saturday at Hug High School in Reno.
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Tommi Stockham had 24 kills, Taylor Jefferson added 18 kills and 13 digs, and the Gaels defeated Durango 25-18, 22-25, 25-13, 25-18 on Saturday in the Class 4A final.
Palo Verde never trailed in a 41-23 win over Las Vegas on Friday, and Canyon Springs turned a botched field-goal attempt into a winning touchdown to stun Arbor View 24-20.
Durango and Bishop Gorman will meet for the third time this season after posting three-set state semifinal wins at Faith Lutheran on Friday.
Faith Lutheran scored twice in the second half to defeat Galena. Coronado avenged its only loss with win over Centennial. Eldorado, Bishop Gorman advance to boys final.
Martin Blake threw 17-yard touchdown pass to Donte McJoy on a botched field goal for the winning score. Bishop Gorman, Liberty advance to Desert Region final.
Centennial running back Jordan Smith rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries Friday night as the Bulldogs advanced to the region semifinals.
Running back Charron Thomas rushed for 203 yards and two touchdowns to lead Palo Verde past Las Vegas on Friday night in the Mountain Region quarterfinals.
Desert Pines running back Javontae Barnes, whose grandmother died last weekend, ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Jaguars past Faith Lutheran on Friday night.
Kennedi Steele had 22 kills and 18 digs, and the Trailblazers shook off early errors to rally from two sets down and reach the Class 4A state tournament semifinals.
Quincy Bonds had a goal and an assist, and the Centennial girls moved on. The Las Vegas boys fell short against Spanish Springs in a shootout after a 1-1 tie.
The Mountain Region playoffs begin Friday, and none of the higher seeds expect an easy quarterfinal matchup — not even the league champions who are facing No. 4 seeds.
The Crusaders enter the state tournament in Reno as the Mountain Region champions with an unbeaten record and a team full of skilled, versatile players.
The Wildcats will have to take the long road if they want to win another Class 4A state champion. Regional champions Eldorado and Bishop Gorman also have title ambitions.
The Gaels weren’t as dominant as last season, but they’re back at the state tournament after winning the Desert Region. They’re joined at state by Durango and Palo Verde.