Novato pulled away to a convincing 30-0 victory, their 24th consecutive league win.

Read the Novato Advance coverage

Solid Defense Leads to Shutout

Just like their namesake, the Redwood Giants were big, tall and strong. On their home turf, Redwood surprised Novato with two first quarter TD passes from Ryan Russell to Joe Klemme and Jake Anderson, and were leading 14-6 to the start of the second quarter.

According to Coach Brackett, “we made some adjustments.” And the Hornet offense kicked into high gear, compiling 275 yards running and 240 yards passing. The result? 47 unanswered points to topple the giant Redwood. But it was the Novato Black Swarm defense that was equally impressive, holding MCAL standout rusher (Klemme) to 2 yards on 4 carries. This, after Klemme had accounted for 340+ yards rushing the week prior against TL.  Then to add injury to insult, the Hornets’ penetrating defensive front four pummeled QB Russell laying him out with a punishing duo-crunch of JT Peleki and Carlos Navarrette. 

Russell retired to the bench with a suspected concussion. He tried to return, but was ineffective and replaced by Robbie Chrisman who could only muster 28 yards passing and no scores against the swarming Novato defense.  Jeff Stephens threw four TDs and 240 yards with tremendous play by the O-Line giving him ample time to throw, and opening huge holes for running backs Campas, DelPino, Mendez and Logan Edwards.

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.

 A pair of flags flew at half staff at one end of the Novato High field – one red, white and blue. The other, black and gold. Coach Brackett was on the sidelines coaching his team to its 22nd consecutive regular season MCAL win. “Dad has been to every game I’ve ever coached,” Brackett told reporters, “I knew he would want me to be out there.”  

“Football is a game, and there is so much more to life, like relationships and family,” said wide receiver Jake Davis. “This will bring our team even closer together. Every time out, we’ll be playing for Brackett.”  Jeff Stephens added, “We’re definitely playing for something greater than ourselves now.”

The game went on, and the Hornets made their coach proud. Executing on offense, defense and special teams. Kyle Campas rushed for 200+ yards and four TDs. The Pirates could only muster 39 yards on the ground all day.

Click to read the full Marin IJ story

In the MCAL opener for both teams, the Red-Tailed Hawks kept their surprise season soaring with a 39-3 victory over Drake. Further bad news for the Pirates was the loss of starting QB, Cory Bostjancic, for the season with a broken collarbone.  ”We don’t want to get too high,” said Tam Coach Keefer, “But we’re playing with confidence and we want to keep that going.”

 With all the starters taking the 2nd half off, Kiki Mendez  took over with his slashing, strong, smash-mouth running  style. Kiki ran for 150 yards and two scores, all in the 2nd  half, to take over the rushing lead in MCAL.  

After the contest, Bulldogs’ Coach Hall, complimented the Novato football program, “Brackett in my mind is the best coach to ever coach in Marin County. He’s done things here (at Novato) that I didn’t think we’re possible.”

Terra Linda attempted a pooch kick to open the game at Novato. Unfortunately, that short kick was the start of a long afternoon for the Trojans. The Hornets needed just three plays to make it 7 -0 on Jeff Stephens’ 51-yard pass to Jake Davis. 

In the MCAL opener for both teams, Novato’s lead swelled to 28-0 at the close of the first quarter. The Hornets piled up 336 yards in the first half on their way to a 56-0 rout. Kyle Campas scored three TDs, while Ricardo Mendez accounted for 144 yards on 10 carries. Stephens threw for four scores before sitting down with the other starters at the intermission. The Black Swarm put up its second consecutive shutout and finds itself coming together as a fast and formidable unit. 

Check out game photos from Varsity Pix

 Read the Marin IJ story on Hornets victory, and see the video. Click here. Maybe it was returning home after two tough road games against East and South Bay football powers. Or maybe it was our black jerseys. Whatever it was, the Hornets came roaring back as a team and notched their first victory of the 2008 campaign, 36-0 over Saint Ignatius of San Francisco. The defense was the story – allowing only 71 total yards on the afternoon. Linebacking corp of John Buada, Jacob Kraft, Logan Edwards and Josh Greenwell swarmed and applied damaging hits to the SI runners and pass receivers. The defensive front line penetrated and punished the opposition.

The Hornets’ offense finally ignited, too, with the O-Line stepping up, opening holes and giving the QB that extra second of time to throw. Jeff Stephens, completed 21-25 passes for 269 yards and 3 TD passes.  Jake Davis, caught 9 passes for 138 yards. Mike Polvere scored one TD by air, and another on the ground.

Senior kicker, Mike Ghirardo contributed a strong 30 yard field goal with lots of room to spare.   The MCAL season starts next week with a game versus Terra Linda.

Varsity Pix of SI vs Novato game

This year, the Falcons were extremely prepared with the return of Head Coach, Matt Sweeney and seemed to anticipate the Hornets’ every offensive move. Coming off only 4 days rest following the big match-up with Valley Christian, the Hornets looked slow. The Falcons flew to the ball defensively, and scored almost at will through the air. Maybe the expectations placed on the Hornets to return to the State Bowl also weighed heavily on the squad. In the end, it was all Foothill. NHS Captain, Mike Polvere was quoted in the newspaper, saying that Novato played like individuals in this game, and needs to come together and play as a team. Time will tell.

Contra Costa Times sees rivalry brewing