California transfers lead Bishop Gorman past Servite, 48-27

Bishop Gorman came to town from Las Vegas on Friday night full of glitter and hype as the No. 1-ranked high school football team in America by USA Today. Who doesn’t pay attention to a team that gets TMZ treatment for having the son of Snoop Dogg and the grandson of Muhammad Ali as players?

But the two players who made the biggest impact for the Gaels against Anaheim Servite were Southern California transfers. Sophomore quarterback Tate Martell and sophomore receiver Tyjon Lindsey, who lives with Martell, were starters last season as freshmen at Poway High in San Diego County. They moved to Nevada and what a difference they made.

Lindsey ran a punt back 92 yards for a touchdown and caught touchdown passes of 10 and 29 yards. Martell threw for 152 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 110 yards in a 48-27 victory over Servite at Cerritos College. Russell Booze ran for three touchdowns.

Martell didn’t enter the game until Bishop Gorman’s final possession of the first half, replacing Danny Hong with his team behind, 7-6. He provided an immediate spark with his ability to run and scramble. Servite spent the rest of the game unable to contain Martell and the option play.

On the other side of the field, Servite quarterback Travis Waller turned in the type of performance expected from an Oregon commit who competes on every play. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown and ran for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Cordell Broadus, the son of Snoop Dogg and a former Diamond Bar receiver, got to celebrate with a 33-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

Servite more than held its own against the Gaels in the first half, but eight penalties and missed opportunities inside the 10-yard line enabled Bishop Gorman to take a 14-6 lead at halftime.

Bishop Gorman’s defense stiffened near the goal line to stuff Waller on a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line in the first quarter. That disappointing ending seemed to spook the Friars when they had chances the rest of the half. After that, the Friars were playing it conservative and had to settle for field goals of 20 and 24 yards by Andrew Acosta.

Waller, after a slow start, started to heat up. He was eight for 15 for 141 yards and also ran for 76 yards in the first half. Servite held the ball for more than 18 minutes in the first half. Bishop Gorman lost the ball on a fumble and interception.

Bishop Gorman is going to become very familiar in Southern California. The Gaels still have games left against Corona Centennial, Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco, ranked No. 1 in Southern California.

Those future opponents will have to figure out what to do when Martell turns on the speed. He fits in perfectly with the new era of quarterbacks who can run and pass.

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