National Championships - Game 3 vs. Leyden Bears

The Novato Stingers banner flies proudly for Game 3 in Florida

The pictures from this game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.


Game 3 Summary


The Novato Stingers concluded their 2009 National Championship odyssey on Thursday, December 10th with another game at Austin-Lindall Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Novato arrived under a daunting Florida downpour and was drenched within a few minutes of starting the pre-game warm-up. But players and coaches alike were smiling and joking as if it were a sunny and warm.


When game time arrived, the Stingers were ready to roll and their fans, though few, were already in mid-game form. Novato won the coin-toss and elected to receive the ball first.


The Stingers first drive was strong again, as they methodically drove the field on a short series of runs and short passes. Unfortunately, they came up short with a fumble deep in Bears' territory.


The good news was this was the chance for the Stingers version of the Novato "Black Swarm" to take the field for the final game of the season. Novato's starting "Black" defense has shut down opponents all year, so it's proper that we recognize each of them for their outstanding work all year. The starting eleven are: linemen Hunter Wegner, Daronn McCall, Chris Folsom and Robbie Cassée; linebackers Gene Peugh-Wade, Angelo Lagomarsino and Marc Alvarez; cornerbacks Alec Ball and Danny Dreher; and safeties Henry Dalton and Ben Putman. And on this day they, and their "Gold" counterparts did their jobs well.


The Stingers D held fast on the Bears' first drive, which was still going when play stopped at the end of the first quarter with the score tied 0-0. Coach John Jones admonished the Stingers to step-it-up another notch and they did on the first play of the second-quarter when Cassée made his first interception of the year giving Novato the ball back.


The Stingers started with a Tommy Sanz to Cassée pass for a first down. Putman followed with a couple of strong runs but Novato gave the ball back on downs.


Novato held Leyden on the next drive but gave the ball back after a quick run and a fumble on a half-back option pass that didn't quite work right.


Leyden's next drive ate up the remaining time and the teams went to halftime still locked at 0.


The Bears got the ball first in the second-half and the resulting drive took nearly the entire quarter. The stingy Stingers D held fast, but Coach Jones had to make a tough call toward the end of the quarter to avoid a real problem. Because the Leyden offense had been on the field so long, the Stingers' Gold offense hadn't been in for enough minimum plays. If Leyden had kept the ball into the fourth quarter, all Stingers without the minimum plays would have had to go in on defense until they reached their required numbers. Since the Novato players in this situation were all offensive players, this could have been a real challenge.


Fortunately, by calling all three of the Stingers time-outs in the last two minutes of the third quarter, and with the Novato defense holding fast, the Bears turned the ball over on downs before the end of the quarter.


So, with the Gold offense now getting it's plays, the Stingers finally got a break-away by Marc Alvarez for what looked like a 70-yard touchdown and the lead. But it wasn't meant to be, and the ball came back because of a holding call. The Stingers got off one more running play before the two teams broke before the fourth quarter still knotted at zero.


The Stingers started with a Sanz to Alvarez pass, but came out just short and had to punt the ball back to the bears. But the Stingers held fast, and after a critical third-down sack by Alvarez, Novato got the ball back with good field position. Putman and Alvarez moved the ball on the ground and Cassée caught a pass over the middle to move the Stingers to the Bears 5-yard line. Putman took two more tries up the middle, moving the ball to within two-inches of scoring. With one more herculean lunge, and with the aid of a huge push by the left side of the offensive line, Putman pushed in for the score, giving the Stingers a 6-0 lead after the failed PAT.


After giving the ball back on the kick-off, Novato's defense came up big one last time. Chris Folsom got through for a huge sack and the rest of the sward stopped the Bears cold for a 4-and-out. After one last play it was over, and the Stingers walked away with the win and the satisfaction that comes with being the third-place AYF PeeWee Division II team in the nation.


Final Score: Novato Stingers 6, Leyden Bears 0


Final Ranking: 3rd Place, AYF PeeWee Division II National Championship


Here are a few highlights from the Stingers big win in the consolation/third-place game:

Ben Putman returns the opening kick-off for the Stingers

Robbie Cassée intercepts the ball on the first play of the second quarter

Tommy Sanz throws the ball out to the right...

...and it's caught for a first-down and more by Cassée

The Stingers "Black Swarm" in action

Marc Alvarez breaks one for a touchdown...but it's brought back by a holding call

Alvarez make a key catch to start the scoring drive

Putman gaining critical yards on the scoring drive

Putman pushes it into the end-zone for a touchdown

The stingers celebrate the touchdown!

Chris Folsom comes up huge with a sack in Leyden's final drive

The Stinger "D" stops the Bears on their final play of a stellar season

The Novato Stingers are 3rd in the nation!

Coach Jones shows off the hardware

Your 2009 Novato Stingers are:


Head Coach: John Jones


Assistant Coaches: Jack Jones, Rich Putman, Jose Herrera, Mark Wright, Martin Sanz, Mario Balestrieri, Demaurea Fleming


Players: 5 Danny Dreher, 6 Jordan Polera, 7 Henry Dalton, 8 Gene Peugh-Wade, 9 Angelo Lagomarsino, 10 Ben Putman, 12 Alec Ball, 13 Tommy Sanz, 14 Daronn McCall, 16 Robbie Cassée, 18 Hunter Wegner, 20 Anthony Balestrieri, 21 Marc Alvarez, 24 Paul Kunst, 25 Chris Folsom, 28 Andrew Tapia, 33 Daniel Hopkins, 34 Sean McDevitt, 42 Sam Mina, 43 Brandon Caamal, 44 Joseph Navarro, 47 Moses Johnson, 52 Michael Sumpter-Blakely, 54 Ryan Johnson, 59 Daylan Birlin, 60 William Cestarollo, 65 Andrew Larkin, 66 John Paul Hernandez, 82 John Viezcas and 99 Matthew Simmons


Team Mom: Carrie Cassée

National Championships - Game 2 vs. Southside Cowboys

The pictures from this game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.

Game 2 Summary

The Novato Stingers continued their National Championship odyssey with a 2 PM game against the Southside Cowboys from Houston at Austin-Tindall Park on a hot, sunny and muggy Tuesday. While the Cowboys won the coin-toss, they deferred to the Stingers who elected to receive the ball first. And the offense did its thing, slowly and methodically driving the ball down the field. Ben Putman was the workhorse, accounting for nine carries in the first drive alone. With fourth-and-goal from just inside the two-yard line the Stingers came up just short and turned it over to the Cowboys.

From there on, it was a defensive struggle for the entire first-half. The Stingers looked like they might score on their second drive, but a strong pass from Tommy Sanz was just out of Robbie Cassée's reach.

The teams went to half-time with a well-earned scoreless tie.

Things look good for the Stingers again as Henry Dalton came up with the opening kick-off and Novato had the first drive of the second-half as well. The first drive came up short as the Stingers fumbled the ball back on a fourth-and-ten+ just inside Cowboy territory.

The Stingers defense held tight throughout the third-quarter too with the two team locked 0-0 going into the final quarter.

The Cowboys broke out with a long run for a touchdown with about nine minutes to play, but the defense stuffed the PAT run to hold the score at 6-0.

Novato looked to score on the ensuing drive, including a clutch pass from Sanz to a diving Paul Kunst on a critical fourth-down play, but came up short at the Cowboy 24.

Again, the defense held tight and had the Cowboys backed up with a fourth-and-long in their own territory and just under two minutes to play. Unfortunately, Southside broke another long run for a touchdown, puting the game away. The defense denied the PAT run again, with Marc Alvarez, Chris Folsom, Cassée and the rest of the defense stuffing the run at the line.

Novato's final drive ran out of time and the Stingers came up short against a very tough team.

Final Score: Novato Stingers 0, Southside Cowboys 12

Next Up: Leyden Bears in the consolation/third-place game on Thursday at 2 PM Eastern Time.

Photos of Game 2 (there are 780 of them!) are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.

National Championships - Game 1 vs. Brooklyn Tomahawks

The pictures from this game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.


Game 1 Summary


The Novato Stingers started their National Championship odyssey with a very interesting twist indeed. Novato was bracketed against a tough Brooklyn Tomahawks team which came with a 7-2 record after outscoring its opponents 209-6 this year. The two teams started play a little after 2 PM at Austin-Tindall Park in Kissimmee, Florida under overcast skies with balmy temperatures.


Things didn't look good for the Stingers early. After winning the coin-toss and getting the opening kick-off Novato had a short drive with a few first-downs but ended up turning the ball over on an interception. Brooklyn took advantage, driving the field for a quick touchdown and a rushing PAT for a 7-0 lead.


Novato's second drive was promising, with the Stingers knocking on the door before the Tomahawks intercepted another pass to stall the drive.


The two teams continued to slug it out and the first-quarter closed with the Tomahawks up 7-0. And they quickly made it 13-0 on a lightning-fast 64-yeard pass, catch and run by Brooklyn. The only good news was Novato stopped the PAT run short of the end-zone to keep the score from being higher.


Novato came very close to scoring before halftime after a fumble recovery and a strong drive that looked like it would result in points, but the pass in the end-zone was intercepted by a Brooklyn defender on a spectacular rolling catch. In all, the Stingers looked a little flat as Coach Jones prodded the boys to step things up in the second-half.


And pump it up they did! The opening onside kick-off just narrowly escaped out of bounds in front of a diving Ben Putman. But the stingy Stinger defense that we've seen all year returned, and after a short drive they took the ball back with a fumble recovery by Danny Dreher. Novato pushed it down the field on sheer willpower with a series of grinding runs and short passes that culminated in a 7-yard Marc Alvarez touchdown. With the blocked PAT kick the score was whittled down to 13-6 and the Stingers had matched the total scoring against the Tomahawks all year!


But the Stingers weren't done. In the fourth quarter, with time ticking down Novato got the ball back near mid-field for one last try. After a successful tight-end pass by Robbie Cassee and another key connection between quarterback Tommy Sanz and receiver Paul Kunst, Alvarez ripped off another touchdown run, this one for 20 yards to leave the Stingers down a point with less than a minute to play. The team stuck with what had worked all year and entrusted the PAT to Alvarez' leg. Unfortunately, the Tomahawks were able to push through and block the kick leaving Novato a point short at 13-12.


As the clock ran out after a couple of Brooklyn kneel-downs, the Stingers looked to have come up just a bit short in this hard-fought Florida battle.


But wait, there's more...


While the Stingers didn't score more points they were declared the winner by forfeit. Coach Jones quickly explained to the team that Brooklyn didn't have enough players so they had forfeit the game and played with four ineligible players who were above the weight limit.  Essentially, this means that the Stingers almost beat a Jr. Midget team. And scored twice the number of points that team had given up all year in the process.


So what looked like defeat was in essence an excellent warm-up for the Stingers next game - in the winner's bracket against a tough Southside Cowboys team from Houston, Texas on Tuesday, December 8.


Not a bad outcome from a gritty, determined Stingers performance.


Final Score: Novato Stingers - win by forfeit (Game score Stingers 12, Tomahawks 13)


Next Up: Southside Cowboys - Tuesday, December 8 at 2 PM.


Here are some photo highlights from the game:

Coach Putman pumping up the Stingers before entering the field

Ben Putman taking the opening kick-off up the field

Henry Dalton forcefully separating receiver from ball

Robbie Cassee lowers the boom on a defender while yards

Angelo Lagomarsino gaining critical yards in the second-half

Marc Alvarez slips through for Novato's first touchdown

Alvarez again, this time on the way to a 20-yard score

Support the Novato Stingers as they SWARM Florida!

A request from the Novato Stingers players and families...


Novato Youth Football 2009 Stingers (Pee-Wee) Need Your Support


Dear Friends of Novato Youth Football & Cheer,


The Novato Stingers (PeeWee division) won the regional Mountain Valley Youth Football League Superbowl on Sunday, November 21st and earned the right to go to the American Youth Football National Championships in Orlando, December 5-12. We are looking forward to making our friends, family and community proud as we swarm toward a national title.


Our success has not been made by one player alone or a streak of luck. We have won our games due to the teamwork we exhibit each and every week. We are a close football family. Financially, it is a very significant challenge we face sending 31 boys to Orlando. Times are tough for many and contributions to our league are down. Estimated costs to attend are approximately $1,100.00 per player.


Itʼs going to take teamwork to send all of our boys to Orlando and we hope we can count on your support. We do not want to have to leave a member of our football family behind due to a lack of funds.


Our timeframe is aggressive and we are posting this note in the hope that you and/or your company with contribute to our efforts with a tax-deductible donation or sponsorship. If you can help us out, please e-mail ccassee@comcast.net or call 415.827.2872 and we will get a form right out to you!


Thank you so much!!!!!


GO STINGERS!

'09 MVL SuperBowl - Novato Stingers vs. Lathrop Steelers

Stinger moms show they "Believe" in their team

The pictures from this game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.


Game Summary


The #1 seeded Novato Stingers got to travel to Lathrop High School just outside Stockton to play the #3 seeded Lathrop Steelers in the Mountain Valley Youth Football League Division II SuperBowl on Saturday, November 21st.  It was a later start than usual for a PeeWee game, but with sunny skies and a serious chill in the air the games got down to business with a 3 PM kick-off.


The Steelers won the coin-toss but deferred to the Stingers, who elected to receive the ball first.  After a short opening drive, Novato had to give the ball back setting the stage for a defensive struggle.  And the Stinger defense did take over, forcing a fumble on the Steeler 35 after a short drive.  Novato took only a few plays to capitalize, with Alec Ball (12) breaking free for a 30-yard touchdown run for the first points of the game.  Marc Alvarez (21) kicked the two-point PAT and the Stingers were up 8-0 with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter.


The teams each got one more shot in the first-half, but came up short so Novato lead 8-0 at halftime.


Novato kicked-off to start the second-half, and immediately took control when Ben Putman (10) pounced on the onside-kick.  After a short drive, the Stingers had to kick the ball back and with the addition of a blocking-in-the-back penalty on the return, the Steelers were backed up on their 9 yard-line.   Novato held Lathrop and got the ball back on the Lathrop 16 yard-line.  A quick 13-yard pass from quarterback Tommy Sanz (13) to tight-end Robbie Cassée (16) set up a first-and-goal.  Half-back Putman then pushed it in for a touchdown and with Alvarez's second two-point PAT the Stingers were up 16-0 with 2:54 remaining in the third-quarter.


The ensuring onside kick-off was recovered by Stinger Henry Dalton (7) and Novato had the ball yet again.  This time it didn't last, as the Steelers recovered a fumble and then started a long march down the field.  With a rushing touchdown at 6:14 in the fourth-quarter, the game was a tighter-than-comfortable 14-6.  


Lathrop tried an onside-kick of their own on the ensuing kick-off but Moses Johnson (47) neatly caught the ball for the Stingers.  After a time-draining drive Putman broke through for a 6-yard touchdown.  With Alvarez's third two-point PAT the Stingers led 24-6 with 2:14 to play.


As it has all year, the Stinger defense came up big, stopping Lathrop's attempt to march down the field.  After taking the ball back on downs, Novato kneeled on the ball a couple of times and it was all over and the Stingers were the MVL PeeWee Division II champs!


Final Score: Novato Stingers 24, Lathrop Steelers 6


Next Up: AYF National Championship in Orlando, Florida!


Here are some highlight photos from the Stingers MVL SuperBowl win.

Alec Ball (12) breaks out for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Robbie Cassée (16) has a clutch catch an run to the 3 in the second-quarter.

Marc Alvarez (21) kicks the first of three 2-point PATs on the day

Henry Dalton (7) pounces on an onside-kick in the third-quarter

It's a bird.  It's a plane.  No, it's SuperBen Putman (10) flying for yards in the second-half.

Moses Johnson (47) makes a critical recovery on a Lathrop onside-kick

Offense wins games but swarming Stinger defense wins championships!

Celebration!  Yes, we're going to Orlando...

'09 Football Playoffs - Novato Stingers vs. Southern Marin Broncos

Coach Jones telling the Stingers "that's two-down with one more to go" following the game

The photos from this Novato Stingers game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.


Mountain Valley Youth Football League - 2009 PeeWee Division II Playoffs


Game Summary


The second round of the 2009 PeeWee Division II Playoffs for the Mountain Valley League of American Youth Football took place on Sunday, November 15th at Marin Catholic High School. The Novato Stingers, seeded #1, where officially the home team and played in their black uniforms. As the visiing team, Southern Marin, seeded #4, wore their white uniforms.


Southern Marin won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. The Stinger defense established itself again, holding the Broncos on their opening drive and getting the ball back on the 35 yard-line. On Novato's first offensive play, Ben Putman (10) took the ball 65-yards down the right sideline for a quick score, giving the Stingers a quick 6-0 lead with 7:44 left in the first-quarter.


It looked like the Stingers would take control when Alec Ball (12) recovered the ensuing kick-off to give Novato the ball back. But the Broncos intercepted a long pass on the drive and the defensive struggle was on.


Danny Dreher (5) took the ball back with an interception at 1:30 in the first-quarter but the offense couldn't capitalize on the takeover. The second-quarter was hard-nosed football, with the Stinger defense, especially a fiesty Putman, clamping down the Bronco offense. The teams went into halftime with the Stingers up 6-0.


The second-half proved much the same, with Novato getting the ball first but turning it back over on downs. Dreher came up big again with another interceptions with 1:31 left in the third-quarter. The Broncos defense held firm and Novato had to give the ball back.


The fourth-quarter was similar until Novato got the ball back in Bronco territory with only minutes remaining. After a short drive, Putman broke one through the middle for a 30-yard touchdown. Coupled with a Marc Alvarez (21) two-point PAT field-goal, the Stingers were up 14-0 with only 1:31 left in the game.


Which put the game in the hands of the stingy Stinger defense one last time. And they came up big yet again. This time it was Hunter Wegner (18) with an interception with less than a minute remaining. After a final offensive play the hard-fought battle was over and the Stingers won the right to move on to the championship game.


"Southern Marin played a great game today," said Head Coach John Jones, "we had to give it everything we had to pull this one out.  Our boys played hard, but our defense really had to step it up to make sure we came out on top.  We can celebrate the win today, but we have a lot to do this week to get ready for a very tough Lathrop squad next weekend."


Final Score: Novato Stingers 14, Southern Marin Broncos 0


Next Up: Lathrop Steelers


NOTE: As of the time of this posting, the championship game is planned for Saturday, November 21 at Lincoln High School in Stockton, CA. I'll post any changes here...


Here are some photo highlights from the game:

A hard tackle on the Broncos opening drive

Ben Putman (10) breaks away for a touchdown on the Stingers first offensive play

Alec Ball (12) recovers the onside kick following the TD

Putman outjumps the Bronco receiver the knock it away!

Danny Dreher (5) intercepts a pass in the 1st Quarter, his first of two on the day!

It's just out of reach for Robbie Cassée (16) on this 2nd Quarter pass

The Stingers "D" swarms a Bronco like it did all day long

Marc Alvarez (21) sacks the Bronco QB for a huge loss late in the game

Putman bursts through the line for another TD late in the game to seal the Stinger win

'09 Football Playoffs - Novato Stingers vs. Esparto Spartans

Danny Dreher and Ben Putman showing their Novato pride for the playoffs!

The photos from this Novato Stingers game are now available on the 2009 Novato Stingers Shutterfly site.


Mountain Valley Youth Football League - 2009 PeeWee Division II Playoffs 


Game Summary


The first round of the 2009 PeeWee Division II Playoffs for the Mountain Valley League (MVL) of American Youth Football (AYF) took place on Sunday, November 8th in Northern California. The Novato Stingers entered the playoffs seeded first with an official record of 6-1 (7-1 overall). The eighth-seeded Esparto Spartans travelled to the Novato High School field for an 11 AM game on a beautiful sunny day for football.


Novato lost the coin toss and Esparto elected to receive the ball to start the game. Things started off well for the Stingers as Ben Putman (10) returned to action after a 4-game stint on the injured reserve, and promptly stripped the Spartan kick-returner of the ball and Henry Dalton (7) pounced on the fumble to give Novato the ball in Spartan territory. The Stinger Offense quickly established itself as Alec Ball (12) ran the ball for a 28-yard touchdown which Marc Alvarez (21) followed with a 2-point PAT field goal giving Novato a 8-0 lead.


The Novato defense quickly showed its stuff too, holding Esparto to a rapid 4-down and out on their first drive. It was an often repeated theme throughout the rest of the afternoon.


The Stingers second drive went 3-plays, capped by a 15-yard Tommy Sanz (13) pass to a wide-open Robbie Cassée (16) for a touchdown. The PAT attempt was thwarted by Esparto, making it 14-0 for Novato.


After holding Esparto to another 4-and-out, Novato drove the field for another score, this one a 12-yard pass from Sanz to a wide-open Dalton for another six points and a 20-0 lead.


On the Spartans third drive, Novato held tight again for a 4-and-out and then the offense took two plays for another score - this time a 42-yard run by Putman puting the Stingers up 26-0. A significant lead already, early in the second-quarter, and they were only getting warmed up!


The Spartans drove for a first down in their next drive, but the defense held tight once again taking the ball over on downs. Novato's fifth drive again resulted in a score, this time a 10-yard run by Ball and another 2-point kick by Alvarez for a 34-0 lead going into half-time.


Novato received the ball first in the second-half and promptly drove the field again. This time, Angelo Lagomarsino (9) pushed the ball in for a 2-yard score. The Stingers were hit with a big 15-yard penalty on the PAT attempt, pushing them to the 20 yard line. Undaunted, Sanz quickly hit Cassée on a quick out and he barreled his way in for another point and a 41-0 lead.


Things went from bad to worse for the Spartans, as Danny Dreher (5) intercepted the ball on the third play of Esparto's next drive. Novato quickly capitalized again, this time on a 50-yard, sideline-to-sideline scramble by Alvarez, and a 47-0 score.


The Stingers took the ball away again on the next drive when Cassée stripped the ball and Hunter Wegner (18) quickly recovered the fumble. Alvarez scored again, this time on a 35-yard run, and Lagomarsino followed it with a rushing PAT.


The defense made it three-take-aways-in-a-row, when Paul Kunst (24) intercepted a pass on the Spartans next drive. Novato quickly scored again on a 55-yard touchdown run by Ball.


Novato held Esparto to a 4-and-out again and Chris Folsom (25) capped a drive with a 3-yard touchdown run wrapping up the scoring on the day.


"The kids really played well on both sides of the ball today," said Coach John Jones. "The defense locked them down while the offense had a perfect day (10 touchdowns in 10 drives!) We'll work hard again this week to make sure we're ready for round two."


Final Score: Novato Stingers 67, Esparto Spartans 0


Next Up: Southern Marin Broncos


Here's are some photographic highlights from the game:

Ben Putman (10) is back with a vengence, stripping the ball on the opening kick-off

Alec Ball (12) follows Angelo Lagomarsino's (9) block on one of his 3 TD runs

Robbie Cassée (16) running to the end-zone after a catch

Henry Dalton (7) awaits the ball on the way to his touchdown

Marc Alvarez (21) jukes on a 50-yard sideline-to-sideline touchdown run

Cassée strips the ball and Hunter Wegner (18) gets ready to pounce on the ball.

The defense harassing the Spartans again.

Cheers! - Jason