'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