Column: Bishop Gorman to the Trinity League? Don’t bet against Vegas school

LAS VEGAS â€”  If USC and UCLA can leave the Pac-12 Conference for the Big Ten Conference and let its athletes travel thousands of miles to play games in exchange for big bucks starting next year, then Bishop Gorman can join the Trinity League and make the 275-mile drive from Las Vegas to play sold-out football games against the likes of Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Servite and Orange Lutheran.

“I think that would be a cool experience,� Bishop Gorman quarterback Micah Alejado said.

Of course, it will never happen. It’s such a sensitive and controversial subject that no coaches or administrators from Bishop Gorman would dare go on the record to provoke the ire of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Assn.

“Nobody wants to say it out loud,� said one Bishop Gorman coach who asked for anonymity to prevent a lecture from his athletic director.

There’s a big road block: The California Interscholastic Federation bylaw on membership requires schools to reside in California.

Except let’s talk fantasy ideas after seeing Bishop Gorman (4-0) demolish Corona Centennial 56-28 on a warm Friday night in Las Vegas. The Gaels have been playing against top teams in Southern California for years.

In 2014, the talk of a move to the powerful Trinity League picked up steam after Bishop Gorman beat Centennial, Santa Margarita, Servite and St. John Bosco en route to being considered the national football champion. The Gaels lost to Mater Dei last season and were supposed to play the Monarchs this season. That game was removed from the schedule when Bishop Gorman had to add another league game, so the teams will meet next season in Santa Ana.

Centennial coach Matt Logan was frustrated more with the performance of his team, which lost three fumbles Friday and have 12 turnovers in four games.

“Poor execution is my fault. I’m the head coach,� Logan said.

Running back Cornell Hatcher was the lone standout for Centennial, scoring his team’s four touchdowns while rushing for 213 yards.

“We’re going to get better. We have some young dudes,� Logan said.

Since Centennial (2-2) has now lost to Mater Dei and Bishop Gorman this season, who would win a game between the two?

“Shoot, I don’t know,� Logan said. “Bishop Gorman is so talented on offense, it’s crazy. It would be a battle.�

If anyone is interested in playing Bishop Gorman, coach Brent Browner is all ears.

“�We’re looking for competition with great coaches and great opponents,� he said.

Bishop Gorman routinely faces Southern California teams in football, baseball and basketball as well as track and field. It has top facilities and plays at Fertitta Field, which is named after the family that is involved in the gaming industry.

The greatest fantasy involves the CIF bylaw being changed, a media company with lots of money stepping forward and suddenly the impossible happening — Bishop Gorman joins the CIF and the Trinity League.

Remember when no one thought the Pac-12 would disband?

The Long Beach Poly-Gardena Serra game was halted at halftime after a disturbance broke out near the Serra parking lot. The game was sold out and people were trying to crash the party at halftime. Law enforcement responded from neighboring communities. After an hour delay, the game was canceled with Poly ahead 28-14 and declared the winner.

Oak Park pulled out a 21-20 win over Brentwood with some last-minute drama. The Eagles had to drive 80 yards in 30 seconds. First there was a hook-and-ladder pass play for 59 yards. Then there was a touchdown reception with 10 seconds left, followed by a two-point conversion for the win.