Las Vegas, NV
The 2026 football season opened with one of the biggest matchups in the country as No. 2 Bishop Gorman hosted No. 1 St. John Bosco in Las Vegas. The meeting marked the third time the two national powers had faced one another, with Gorman entering the night holding a perfect 2-0 record in the series. The previous meetings came in 2014 and 2016, with the Gaels winning 34-31 in 2014 before returning to defeat the Braves 35-20 in 2016. Nearly a decade later, the two programs would meet again with both sides entering the matchup with championship expectations.
The 2016 meeting had already produced a memorable comeback, with Gorman overcoming a 20-7 deficit before pulling away in the second half. This time around, history would once again bring another dramatic chapter between the two programs, but the script would be flipped. Gorman would build a 21-0 advantage before Bosco mounted a furious comeback, eventually tying the game at 28-28 in the fourth quarter.
Bishop Gorman came out aggressive from the opening whistle, with junior quarterback, Ace Amina, leading an offense that gave the Braves problems throughout the first half. Amina finished the night with 227 passing yards and four touchdowns, helping the Gaels build their early advantage while St. John Bosco struggled to find consistency offensively. Gorman's defense also made life difficult for the Braves, recording eight sacks as the Gaels established control early. they would force a fumble in the end zone led by Sophomore OLB, Baylon Ivory, and fumble recoverd for touchdown, senior defensive edge caleb lea'Ea.
the game would change completely after halftime. St. John Bosco finally found its rhythm in the third quarter, beginning with a fourth-down touchdown reception by sophomore wr, Kuika Moaalii. junior wr, DJ Tubbs, followed with another touchdown reception, cutting Gorman's lead to 21-14. The Gaels answered with a 53-yard touchdown reception from junior wr, Zyren Menor, but the Braves continued to fight as senior rb, Maliq Allen, scored on a 29-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
The comeback reached its peak early in the fourth quarter. After a key defensive stop, Tubbs returned a punt for a touchdown with 9:52 remaining, tying the game at 28-28. St. John Bosco had erased a three-touchdown deficit and completely changed the atmosphere inside the stadium. What had looked like a comfortable Gorman victory at halftime, suddenly become a brand-new game with the national spotlight squarely on both programs.
however, the gaels had one more answer. With less than 7 minutes remaining, Amina connected with junior rb, Corey Hinton Jr, on a 54-yard touchdown pass to put the Gaels back in front 35-28. Hinton's touchdown carried an additional storyline, as he had previously played for St. John Bosco before returning to Bishop Gorman. The Gaels would then add a 49-yard field goal from junior kicker, Maximiliano Fuentes, late in the fourth quarter to secure the final 38-28 victory.
St. John Bosco junior quarterback, Koa Malau'ulu, finished with 222 passing yards and two touchdowns, while DJ Tubbs recorded 82 receiving yards and a touchdown. Maliq Allen added 58 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Braves. Despite the slow start, Bosco's second-half response showed the fight and talent within the program as it nearly completed one of the biggest comebacks of the opening week.
For Bishop Gorman, the win moves the Gaels to 2-0 and gives the program a statement victory over the nation's No. 1 ranked team. St. John Bosco falls to 0-1, but the Braves' second-half comeback showed that this matchup was far from decided until the final minutes. Two of the country's top programs delivered a game that lived up to the hype, with Gorman ultimately standing tall in Las Vegas.
Final Score: Bishop Gorman 38 - St. John Bosco 28
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
Ace Amina Connects with Zyron Menor
Video By: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
Maliq Allen Rushes in for bosco td
video by: logan pactol - @_lowgxn
Gaels force fumble and add to their lead
Video by: Logan Pactol - @_lowgxn
Bosco Ties the game with Dj Tubbs punt return touchdown
video by: Logan Pactol - @_lowgxn
Gaels seal the dub with Kamil Loud int
Video By: Logan Pactol - @_lowgxn
