Bishop Gorman Faces Faith Lutheran in Playoff Semifinal
Nevada's new playoff format sends the semifinal loser on to the state championship game.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Will the losing team in Bishop Gorman vs. Faith Lutheran reach the state title game?
The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association adopted a playoff format in which the losing team of a state semifinal advances to the state championship. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman will face Faith Lutheran in a NIAA state semifinal on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Why it matters
The format was put together after the loss of around 30 Clark County public schools from the association. It changes how the state title field is set for football teams in the region.
Bishop Gorman is 9-1 and ranked No. 10 in the state playoff bracket, while Faith Lutheran is 6-4. Bishop Gorman defeated Faith Lutheran 45-3 on September 25, and it remains unclear whether the format will continue after this season.
The players
Bishop Gorman High School
A Catholic high school in Las Vegas founded in 1954 with about 1,500 students, known for its long athletic history including over 100 state championships.
Faith Lutheran
A private Christian high school in Las Vegas that competes in the NIAA football playoffs against Bishop Gorman.
Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association
The statewide body that governs high school athletics in Nevada and adopted the new playoff format.
The details
The losing team of the Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran semifinal will face the winner of the Spanish Springs and Bishop Manogue game. The winner of the Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran semifinal will play for the NIAA Open Division state championship at Allegiant Stadium.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Bishop Gorman defeated Faith Lutheran 45-3.
Friday, November 13, 2026: Bishop Gorman faces Faith Lutheran in the NIAA state semifinal.
The week after November 13, 2026: State championship game scheduled at Allegiant Stadium.
Seasonal Patterns
The NIAA's Open Division bracket has long sent only semifinal winners to the title game. This format change adds a second route to the final after roughly 30 Clark County public schools left the association.
Families following the game can expect the state championship to be played at Allegiant Stadium the week after the semifinal. Fans should watch for the changed bracket path that lets a semifinal loser still reach the title game.
The takeaway
The NIAA's new format gives a second chance to teams that lose a state semifinal, a change that could reshape how Nevada high school football titles are decided. Readers tracking the season should watch how the bracket plays out on November 13.
What happens next
Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran meet in the NIAA state semifinal on Friday, November 13, 2026, and the loser advances to the state championship game at Allegiant Stadium the following week.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education for context on how high school athletic structures are changing across Nevada.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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Will the losing team in Bishop Gorman vs. Faith Lutheran reach the state title game?
