'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...