The Liberty Patriots defeated the Bishop Gorman Gaels on the way to the 2019 Nevada Title, in the first season of 5A football the title once again came down to the power programs in a matchup of powers.

With both programs entering the contest with a 10-1 record, the teams played an even first quarter before the Gael blazer Zachariah Branch added the first two scores of the game. Branch opened scoring late in the first quarter with a 93-yard punt return and followed with a 53-yard receiving score from Micah Alejado early in the second quarter as the Gaels looked as though they would run away with the win up 14-0 .

The Patriots appeared to be on the ropes but a return to the program's power formation roots slowed the momentum on the ensuing drive. Leaning on the physical gifts of star Germie Bernard, a shift to running back would see Bernard slip around the edge from a 65-yard run deep into the Gael red zone. Four plays later, a gutsy fourth down call would see Bernard power into the end zone to make the score 14-7 with 4:16 left before half time.

Liberty wouldn’t be able to keep the score close for long as Alejado would find Jonathan Brady in the flats less than a minute later, a few missed tackles and a burst of speed would see Brady go 80-yards put the Gaels up 21-7, a lead they would carry to halftime.

The first 16 minutes after halftime would see both defenses lock down the scoring before Alejado would find Maliek Pabon for a total of 49-yards on two receptions to complete a 65-yard drive with 6:01 left with the Gaels up 28-7.

Once again on the ropes with the clock ticking down, Liberty would turn to Bernard as he flipped a post route into a 65-yard trip to the end zone on a pass from Jayden Maiava to close the gap to 28-14 with 5:36 left in the contest.

The Patriots appeared to get the stop they needed on the ensuing drive forcing the Gaels to punt on 4th and 16 with 3:48 left on the clock but a 15-yard penalty assessed for illegal participation ended any further threat. The Gaels would convert the short yardage and power their way to the end zone for the final score on a Cam Barfield run with the final score 35-14 in favor of the Gaels.

The Gaels move on to play Reno’s McQueen at Allegiant Stadium Thursday. The Lancers defeated Bishop Manogue 26-23 to take the Northern 5A Title behind the play of stars Robbie Snelling and Ashton Hayes. In 2007, the Gaels defeated McQueen in the state title game for their first title in 25 years and they defeated the Lancers again in 2009 to start their streak of 10 straight state titles.

In the 4A, Silverado will face off with Shadow Ridge for the first year of the all Southern public school division title.

Shadow Ridge defeated Las Vegas 65-37 behind the legs of quarterback Coen Coloma and state rushing leader running back Jaquieze Holland.

Silverado defeated Coronado 42-7 behind their aray of weapons and stingy defense.