Make no doubt about it, the high school football game of the week on Thursday night will be Bishop Gorman hosting Liberty.
It’s a big-time matchup featuring two national brands, and unlike past seasons, it’s a regular season game. Realignment has given us Gorman-Liberty in September — and then almost certainly again in the playoffs.
They haven’t played in the regular season since 2003, when the DeMarco Murray-led Gorman Gaels demolished Liberty.
The picks column went 18-2 last week and sits at 57-16 for the season. Here’s a look at Week 5.
Liberty at Bishop Gorman
Gorman will beat Liberty in September and November this season. It won’t be as lopsided as last year. Gorman 47, Liberty 19
Legacy at Foothill
Nobody is going to defeat the Falcons in the regular season. Foothill 43, Legacy 12
SLAM Nevada at Moapa Valley
If this game were played in Las Vegas, I’d take SLAM. Moapa Valley 20, SLAM 18
Virgin Valley at Pahrump
And I would take Virgin Valley if this game were in Mesquite. Pahrump 15, Virgin Valley 13
Desert Pines at Shadow Ridge
Closer than you think. Desert Pines 30, Shadow Ridge 27
Coronado at Arbor View
Realignment gave many Las Vegas teams a chance to compete for a state championship. Others aren’t so fortunate. Arbor View 43, Coronado 7
Las Vegas at Green Valley
It’s must-win time for Green Valley. Green Valley 18, Las Vegas 17
Cimarron-Memorial at Spring Valley
Spring Valley gets back on track — finally. Spring Valley 19, Cimarron-Memorial 13
Desert Oasis at Cheyenne
Desert Oasis wins for the second straight week. Desert Oasis 34, Cheyenne 0
Faith Lutheran at Basic
This will be the closest game of the week. Anyone have a coin? Faith Lutheran 23, Basic 20
Centennial at Western
Speaking about missteps in realignment. Centennial 52, Western 0
Palo Verde at Clark
Clark is still looking for its initial points of the season. It doesn’t help that two Chargers’ games were canceled because of storms. Palo Verde 33, Clark 6
Sierra Vista at Durango
We’ll use the best player of the field theory. That’s Sierra Vista quarterback Tarrance Masnica. Sierra Vista 20, Durango 18
Bonanza at Somerset Academy Losee
Props to Bonanza for beating Cheyenne last week. Somerset 34, Bonanza 11
Del Sol at Valley
Del Sol gets its first win. Del Sol 22, Valley 19
Rancho at Mojave
Make it two in a row for the Mojave Rattlers. Mojave 35, Rancho 0
Pinecrest at Sunrise Mountain
Sunrise Mountain is quietly having a strong season. The Miners improve to 3-1. Sunrise Mountain 30, Pinecrest 13
Boulder City at The Meadows
Speaking of teams misplaced in realignment. Boulder City 43, The Meadows 8
Eldorado at Canyon Springs
Speaking of teams thriving in realignment. Canyon Springs 22, Eldorado 12