Novato Stingers vs Florin Phantoms - Oct. 24

The Stingers swarm the Florin Phantoms in Stockton

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


Game Summary
The Novato Stingers travelled to Stockton for a hot saturday afternoon game against the Florin Phantoms at Weston Ranch High School. Novato won the coin toss and quickly got things rolling on the offensive side with a two-play drive as Alec Ball (12) ran for a 22-yard touchdown only 42 seconds into the game. The PAT attempt was no good so the Stingers were up 6-0.


The Novato defense stopped the first Florin drive flat for a quick 4-and-out to get the ball back. It was a theme that would be repeated throughout the day as the swarming Stinger defense locked-down another opponent.


Novato scored again with another quick two-play drive, capped by a 13-yard Angelo Lagomarsino (9) run and a Danny Dreher (5) recovery in the end-zone for a touchdown. Mark Alvarez (21) kicked a two-point PAT to bring the score to 14-0.


Lagomarsino's ensuing onside kickoff was recovered by Ball and the Stingers were quickly at it again. Chris Folsom (25) back from a three-week layoff for an injury ran the ball 35-yards for a touchdown with 5:39 remaining in the second-quarter. With the addition of another Alvarez two-point PAT, the Stingers were up 22-0.


Novato added another quick score on Florin's next drive when Daylan Birlin (59) intercepted a pass and returned it 10-yards for a touchdown. Folsom ran for the PAT and Novato lead 29-0.


The Stingers would score once more in the first-half, when quarterback Tommy Sanz (13) hit a wide open Robbie Cassée (16) in the end-zone for a 9-yard touchdown with 2:30 remaining in the half. With the score 35-0 the "mercy rule" was invoked meaning the clock would run unstopped for the remainder of the game and that Novato could no longer pass and only run the ball between the tackles.


Novato would have scored once more in the fourth quarter on a 60-yard run by Ball with 6:30 remaining.


The Novato defense returned with a vengeance and held the Phantoms to no-first downs and no points in the game, giving the Stingers seven shutouts on the year.


Final Score: Novato Stingers 35*, Florin Phantoms 0
*mercy rule invoked with 2:30 remaining in the second-quarter


2009 Regular Season Scoring: Novato Stingers 209, Opponents 19


2009 Regular Season Record: 7-1


Here are some additional photo highlights from the game.

Alec Ball (12) busts loose for the game's first score!

Angelo Lagomarsino (9) pulls a pile of Florin tacklers toward the end-zone... 

...and Danny Dreher (5) smothers the loose ball in the end-zone for a TD

Daylan Birlin (59) ruturns a 2nd Quarter interception for a touchdown

Chris Folsom (25) returns to action with a bang with this 35-yard TD run

Robbie Cassée (16) is all alone in the end-zone for a 2nd Quarter TD catch

A Florin runner learns what it's like to run into a swarm of Stingers 

...more swarming Stingers piling on a Florin runner

Coach Rich Putman gets soaked in the post-game celebration

Cheers! - Jason

Novato Stingers vs Johnson Warriors - Oct. 18

Paul Kunst (24) gets behind the Johnson defense for a catch, long-run and TD!

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

Game Summary

In their away white jerseys and home black pants, the Stingers hosted the Johnson Warriors on a sunny, cool and windy day at the Novato High School field. Novato won the coin toss and got the ball first and things looked good to start as Alec Ball (12) had a stong return and the Stingers started with excellent field position. But the Warriors held the Stingers to a three-and-out and the game quickly devolved into a defensive struggle. The Stingers threatened to score with the ball inside the Warriors five-yard line, but were unable to do so. At the end of the first quarter the game was still scoreless.


With 6:00 minutes remaining in the second quarter, the vaunted Stingers defense finally yielded their first points of the year, after 25 straight shutout quarters. After a long touchdown run, Johnson scored the PAT and Novato was down for the first time all year, 0-7.


The Stingers quickly drove the ball back down the field on a combination of strong running and pass plays culminating with a critical fourth down attempt on the two-yard line. The Johnson line stopped Novato's attempt and took over on their own 1-yard line. Unfortunately, the Johnson running back burst through the middle on the very next play and ran the entire 99-yards for a seconds score.  The teams went to half-time with Johnson up 13-0.


Novato came on strong in the second-half, with Johnny Viezcas (82) recovering Angelo Lagomarsino's (9) opening kick-off giving the ball to the Stingers. Novato wasn't able to capitalize and gave the ball back to Johnson. The Novato defense then had a stop when a swarm of defenders combined to strip a Johnson runner of the ball and it ended up in the hands of Hunter Wegner (18). That's when the Novato offense really came alive, with Ball throwing a half-back pass to a streaking Paul Kunst (24) who got behind the Johnson defender,  caught a deflected ball and ran for a long touchdown. Mark Alvarez (21) kicked a two-point PAT and Novato was only down 13-8 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.


Novato made a big play on the ensuing kick-off, with Alvarez pouncing on another Lagomarsino onside kick. Alvarez followed it up with a streaking 21-yard run and Novato was seemingly back in control. Only, this time it wasn't meant to be. Novato fumbled on the Johnson 25 and gave back the ball.


In the fourth quarter, Johnson intercepted a long pass and then returned it for their third touchdown of the day with 7:18 left in the game. They missed the PAT, but Novato was down 19-8 and time was running out.


While Novato couldn't pull together another score in the final minutes, defensive lineman Ryan Johnson (54) gave them one last chance with a late fumble recovery in Warrior territory.


"This is a tough loss for us," said Coach John Jones, "but the kids played hard and didn't give up. We really beat ourselves in this one. I guess it will be a good lesson as we look at closing out the regular season next week and prepare for the playoffs."


Final Score: Johnson Warriors 19, Novato Stingers 8


2009 Stingers Record: 6-1


Defensive Points Allowed: 19! (over 7 games)


While the outcome wasn't what we were used to, the game was still exciting. Here are some pictures highlighting the great play during the day.

Quarterback Tommy Sanz (13) rolls out right and throws... 

...to a diving Robbie Cassée (16) for a catch during the Stingers second drive

The Stingers give up their first points of the year after 25 shutout quarters

Daniel Hopkins (33) fires up the Stingers at half-time

Johnny Viezcas (82) comes up with his second onside kick in two weeks!

A Novato "swarm" strips the ball and Hunter Wegner (18) ends up with it

Mark Alvarez (21) comes up with an onside kick in the third-quarter

Daronn McCall (14) fights for yards in the fourth-quarter

Ryan Johnson (54) fights for a fumble late in the game

Cheers! - Jason

Novato Yellow Jackets Oct. 11 Game Photos

Chris Righetti (25) shedding tacklers on his way to a big gain

Hello Yellow Jackets Fans,

Sunday’s overcast, cold weather was a perfect back drop to the Yellow Jacket’s convincing win over the Central Marin Chargers! If you would like to check out the photos please do so at http://novatoyellowjackets.shutterfly.com/.

With the exception of McCoy Wegner’s first TD catch of the season, Coach Wood used Sunday’s game to fine tune the ground game. The loaded backfield of Chris Righetti, Tyler Torres, Ian Roberts, Juan Carlos O’Neil, Damien Lagomarsino and Nathaniel Barkus proved too powerful and punishing for Central Marin. On defense, Coach Trahan’s unit displayed a physical and aggressive style of play providing the Chargers with plenty of bumps and bruises, and very few offensive yards!

Nice job guys.

Black and gold. All day, every day. NO MERCY!

/Bill

Novato Stingers vs Rancho Cotate 2 - Oct. 11

Mark Alvarez (21) on his way to six with a little help from Robbie Cassée (16)

Danny Dreher (5) upends a flying Cougar in the second-half

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


Game Summary


The Stingers hosted the Rancho Cotate Cougars at the Novato High School field for a rare home-and-home opportunity.  While the teams have played twice in 15 days, this time the chilly, overcast playing conditions in Novato were in stark contrast to the 100°scorcher in Rohnert Park on September 27th.


The Stingers won the coin toss and elected to take the ball first.  The Novato offense wasted no time at all as quarterback Tommy Sanz (13) quickly teamed up with Mark Alvarez (21) for a 42-yard catch and run for at touchdown.  Angelo Lagomarsino (9) followed it up with a run for the extra point and the Stingers were up 7-0 after two plays.


Things only got better for Novato as Johnny Viezcas (82) recovered an onside kick-off and the Stinger offense was at it again.   After a quick drive down the field, Alvarez ran the ball in from the 3-yard line for his, and the team's, second touchdown of the day.  


With Novato up 13-0 the second quarter proved to be a tight defensive struggle, with the teams exchanging the ball on downs a few times before the Stingers broke through again after a long drive.  Lagomarsino walked into the end-zone for a score at 2:30 left in the half and Sanz hooked up with tight-end Robbie Cassée (16) for a catch and run for the PAT.  The teams left the field at half-time with Novato up 20-0.


Novato came out strong again in the second-half, with the defense giving up only two more first down, for a total of three on the day.  After holding the Cougars on their opening drive, Novato quickly scored again, this time on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Sanz to a streaking Cassée who was wide-open down the middle of the field.  Alec Ball (12) ran the ball in for the PAT and a 27-0 lead.


The Stingers closed out the scoring with 1:30 left in the third-quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run by Ball.  With the score at 33-0 the "mercy" rule was invoked for the fourth straight game and the game wound down quickly under a running clock.


"I'm really proud of the guys today," said head coach John Jones. "We were down a couple of key players today and the team really stepped it up to cover for them.  Some of our regulars elevated their game and a few others filled in with some great play.  Like I told the kids all week, we have good players and even though we have a few guys out, we can continue to win if we work together." 


Final Score: Novato Stingers 33*, Rancho Cotate Cougars 0
* Mercy rule invoked with just over a minute left in the third-quarter


2009 Stingers Record: 6-0


Defensive Points Allowed So Far: 0 !!!!!

Johnny Viezcas (82) comes up with the ball on our 1st kick-off

Mark Alvarez (21) sheds another tackle on the way to his second TD

Robbie Cassée (16) hauls in a Tommy Sanz pass on the way to six

Angelo Lagomarsino (9) pushes his way in for six

Alec Ball (12) has the goal-line in sight!

Daronn McCall (14) runs for a bunch in the third-quarter

Hunter Wegner (18) gets mauled from behind by a Cougar

Cheers! - Jason

Novato Yellow Jackets Oct. 4 Game Photos

Joe Kelly (85) catching the ball on the way to a touchdown!

Hey Novato Yellow Jackets Fans,


The photos of this week's win over Esparto are now available at
http://novatoyellowjackets.shutterfly.com/. Check 'em out.


Black and gold. All day, everyday. No Mercy!!


/Bill Kelly

Novato Stingers vs Esparto Spartans - Oct. 4

Chris Folsom (25) strips the ball on the Spartans opening drive!

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


Game Summary


The Stingers played their second home game of the season, this time against the Esparto Spartans on a warm, breezy day at Novato High School. In a rare change-of-pace, the team wore their white "away" jerseys with the "home" black pants to better offset the dark blue Spartans uniforms. What did not change was the way the Stingers defense swarmed the opposition. While allowing only three first-downs on the day, Novato held Esparto scoreless, making it five straight shut-outs for the Stingers.


And while the defense held firm, the offense was off and running early. After winning the coin toss, Novato elected to receive the ball and quickly drove the field. Ben Putman (10) ran for a quick 2-yard touchdown and followed it up with a rushing PAT giving the Stingers a 7-0 lead.


Not to be outdone, the defense quickly took the ball back when Chris Folsom (25) stripped the ball and Robbie Cassée (16) pounced on the fumble.


It got ugly from there, as speedy Alec Ball (12) racked-up rushing touchdowns of 13, 60 and 30-yards to give the Stingers a 28-0 lead by early in the second quarter. With 1:30 left in the first-half, Mark Alvarez (21) scored on a 60-yard catch and run for a touchdown bringing the score to 34-0 and invoking the "mercy rule" for the third-straight game. That meant no more "official" scoring for either team, and the Stingers could only run the ball between the tackles while the clock would run without stopping for the rest of the game.


While quick, the second-half was more of the same, with the Stingers defense holding firm, and the offense moving the ball on the ground. On their second drive of the half, Putman ran the ball 15-yards into the end-zone with 1:10 left in the third quarter officially not-scoring what would have been another 6 points. He actually had to do it twice because the first time it he was called back for running outside the tackle, negating the play.


In all, another commanding performance by the entire Stingers team who were playing a little short-handed with two starters out for the game.


"The kids played great again today," said head coach John Jones after the game. "Next week, we'll line 'em up and play hard again. These guys just don't let up, which is good because we're sure to face some stiff competition as we work through the second-half of the season."


Final Score: Novato Stingers 34*, Esparto Spartans 0


2009 Stingers Record: 5-0


Defensive Points Allowed: 0 !!!!!


* The mercy rule was invoked before the end of the first-half

Ben Putman (10) on the first of his two end-zone runs of the day.

Alec Ball (12) rushing for one of his three touchdowns on the day.

Mark Alvarez (21) caps a 60-yard catch and run for the score. 

Robbie Cassee (16) and Hunter Wegner (18) harass the Spartan QB

Paul Kunst (24) tackles a Spartan for a loss.

Cheers! - Jason