Novato has won 22 consecutive MCAL games, outscoring league foes 1,029-111. Since falling to Justin-Siena in its MCAL opener, Redwood has won two in a row behind QB Ryan Russell (828 yards passing) and running back Joe Klemme (715 yards rushing).
In a pre-season Marin IJ article on MCAL quarterbacks, Ryan Russell was looking ahead to the Hornets. “Pretty much every day all we talk about it how we need to beat Novato,” Russell said. “No hatred against Novato, but we’re sick and tired of hearing about them. Talking to Chris Migdal (TL) and some of the other guys around the league, they know that we have the best shot to beat (Novato) and we’re going to do it for MCAL.”
According to the newspaper article, Russell, who Redwood’s Coach Nelson describes as having Joe Montana-like qualities in the way he manages the huddle, will also be keeping one eye on the stat sheet, where Stephens was king last year.
“I got second team/MCAL last year, and he got first team,” Russell said. “He deserved it last year. He has a really good receiver in Jake Davis and this year I have a really good receiver in Jake Anderson. It’s between me and him.”
But it’s the Hornets stifling, swarming, hard-hitting defense that Russell should keep his eye on.
Tags: hornets, Jake Anderson, jake davis, jeff stephens, MCAL, novato football, Redwood Giants, Redwood High, Ryan Russell
