Stephens back in for Novato, but that’s not necessarily a good thing

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That’s why I called the self-diagnosis of Novato quarterback Jeff Stephens, ‘my unprofessional medical opinion.’ Stephens jogged back on the field on the Hornets’ first possession of the second half, albeit with a noticeable limp and a left ankle that’s so tightly wrapped, it looks like he’s wearing a cast.

The poor guy has to run to the sideline after every play to get the next play from his coach. He threw his first pass off the back of his back foot so bad, he nearly fell on his rump. His second pass was even worse, as it was intercepted by Tyrone Lockett and returned to the Novato three-yard line. On the next play, Armani Taylor scored, tying the score at 14-14.

Oceanside is good, but Novato is lucky it’s not playing against Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley, or Servite running back D.J. Shoemate, or Orange Lutheran tight end Blake Ayles, or Crespi multi-purpose athlete E.J. Woods. That’s all I’ve got to say.

Oceanside is down a defender after defensive lineman Richard So’oto was helped off the field with some sort of leg injury....ankle, knee, hip, in-grown toenail, something like that. Mike Polvere just reversed directions to So-oto’s side of the feld for a 20-yard gain to the Pirate 31-yard line, but Lockett’s pick ended that drive.

-- Dan Arritt