Stephens continues to struggle and Novato now trails, 21-14

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The Novato fans and cheerleaders chanted something at the start of the fourth quarter of the state Division II bowl championship game against Oceanside. I couldn’t understand what they said, but it must have been something like, ‘Don’t let the quarterback pass anymore, he has a bad left ankle and can’t plant his front foot.’

Obviously, the Novato coaches didn’t take notice because quarterback Jeff Stephens threw another interception and Oceanside made the Hornets pay this time, scoring on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Wynn to Frank Zimmerman for a 21-14 lead with 10:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Before that, Novato forced its third turnover of the game, as Logan Edwards forced a fumble by Oceanside running back Armani Taylor late in the third quarter and Ian Vontellrop recovered it at his team’s 37-yard line.

Now, the Hornets have to throw.

-- Dan Arritt