Novato opens with shutout win

After stumbling out of the gate, including a fumble on its first play of offense, the host Novato High foot- ball team regained its composure to take down Drake 13-0 on Saturday.

Understandably, all par- ties involved in the game had to shake off the rust that had accumulated since 2019 when these two teams last played each other. The teams combined for less than 150 yards of total offense and recorded six fumbles in the first half alone.

Even Novato school officials had some difficulty as well — technical difficulties meant there was no live scoreboard for the duration of the entire game.

On offense, the Hornets were propelled by the duo of senior Jonaven Hill and sophomore Samaje Featherstone in the backfield. Following junior kicker Jose Martinez’s 35-yard field goal that put the Hornets ahead 3-0 with 2:50 left in the first quarter, it was Hill who bulldozed his way into the end zone for the first — and only — touchdown of the game.

“It was just a dive up the middle,” Hill said. “I was just saying, ‘I gotta get in. Gotta score right here, set the statement. Because if you chuck the biggest guy, that’s gonna make a statement.”

Hill’s score made it 10-0 with 7:25 left in the second quarter. The Hornets tacked on a 38-yard field goal right before halftime to extend their lead to 13-0.

Feathersone made his high school debut, and it was one to remember as the youngster led the Hornets in rushing with 41 yards on 16 carries. Featherstone displayed a dual-threat ability, also racking up 42 yards on just two catches.

Sophomore wide receiver

Kai Patel also chipped in a stellar opening act, recording nine receptions for 76 yards. Outside of the trio of Hill, Featherstone and Patel, the Hornets offense struggled while playing without starting quarterback Dylan Burness, who was out with a shoulder injury. Junior J.J. Moreno stepped in for relief for Burness, finishing 13 of 18 passing for 136 yards and one interception.

But the story of the day was the Hornets’ stingy defense and special teams.

Drake Pirates junior quarterback Zach Atkinson could not find anything meaningful through the air. Atkinson ended the game 7-of-26 passing for just 67 yards and two interceptions. As a team, the Pirates racked up only 145 yards on offense.