A wave of realignment has swept through Nevada high school football, as 30 programs from Southern Nevada announced in March 2024 that they would leave the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Alliance and operate as independent teams.
The Gorman Factor
Bishop Gorman High School has been a juggernaut on the gridiron, capturing 17 of the last 18 state titles from 2008 through 2025. Recent scores — 56‑11 in 2023, 69‑7 in 2024 and 44‑7 in 2025 — have amplified concerns that the team’s recruiting reach and resource advantage outpace its peers.
The NIAA responded by proposing an Open division that would have limited the number of elite programs able to schedule national non‑conference opponents. After the Archdiocese of Las Vegas threatened legal action, the association backed away from the 2026 plan, leaving the proposed 10‑team bracket unrealized.
With the Open division on hold, the departing schools formed two new leagues. The 5A South includes Bishop Gorman, Faith Lutheran, and Somerset Academy Losee, while the 4A South groups Mater Academy East, Pinecrest Academy Cadence, Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon and SLAM Nevada. The NIAA also tweaked its postseason brackets, allowing the top two seeds to meet in a semifinal before potentially facing the third seed for the championship.
Voices from the North
Coaches in Northern Nevada have weighed in on the split. Ernie Howren, head coach at Manogue, called the move a “bad decision” for student recruitment and school administration, while CJ Wintch of Reno acknowledged Gorman’s strength but insisted that “Northern Nevada can compete with any other school.”
Rob Hummel of Spanish Springs pointed to a lack of response from the NIAA as a catalyst for frustration, and Kyle Mays of Douglas framed the departure as a stand against perceived neglect of public schools. Garrett Hughes of Reed, JJ Milan of Damonte and Aaron Cook of Galena echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing both admiration for Gorman’s dominance and a desire for systemic change.
The realignment reflects a broader tension between private programs with extensive recruiting networks and public schools that rely on district resources. While the new leagues promise more localized competition, many wonder whether the changes will truly level the playing field or simply re‑brand the existing disparities.