In a clash of national high school football powerhouses, Bishop Gorman fell to California’s Mater Dei, with a score of 27-24, on Friday night at Fertitta Field. The game came down to the final minute and left the home crowd stunned. 

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the team showed grit and battled until the final whistle, demonstrating their resilience and determination moving forward. 

Regardless of the outcome, the message remained clear: this game is only one chapter in a much larger story. Defensive back Azavier McDaniel ‘27 said, “Obviously we don’t feel the best about the loss, but something that the coaches preached to us after the game was that the season isn’t over and one loss doesn’t define our team.”

Gorman still has a chance to remain a Top 10 team in the country, playing No. 9 ranked Santa Margarita on Saturday in California.  Setbacks will not shake the team’s determination. They are focused on moving forward and making the most of the rest of the season. “The goal for the rest of the season is to win out, and control what we can control,” kicker Hudson Borsari ‘26  said, “… just be the best team we can be.” 

Wide receiver Kaina Watson ‘26 racked 78 yards in the game and had one of the most impressive catches of the game. Watson expressed, “The loss to Mater Dei brought out our true character. We left everything out on the field.” 

This weekend’s match up with Santa Margarita is more than just a game, it’s the Gaels chance to rise from defeat, prove their strength, and reclaim control of their season’s destiny. “The only way to get this taste out of our mouths is to go out this coming weekend and dominate,” Watson asserted.