Novato takes decisive victory in Healdsburg

The Novato High football team's defense stood extremely high Friday night. The unit not only posted a shutout, but was also responsible for one of the touchdowns in a 22-0 win over Healdsburg.

CJ Castro returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give Novato a 16-0 lead. Special teams had accounted for the score up to that point, with Oliver Garcia hitting a field goal for a 3-0 lead, followed by Dominic Scafani's 45-yard punt for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.

Scafani scored again, this time on a 15-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Cleary, as the Hornets took a 22-0 halftime lead.

Leo Hernandez was one of the standout defensive players with four sacks, five tackles and a forced fumble. Scafani was also intercepted. Elian Escalara had seven tackles.

Running back John DeMartini ran for 123 yards on 13 carries. Cleary completed six of 19 passes for 57 yards.

Tam falls

Quarterback Reed Edwards and receiver Timo Ural had great performances as the Red-tailed Hawks made a game out of it after falling behind early in a 38-25 road loss to American Canyon on Friday night.

Edwards had 323 passing yards and threw four touchdowns. Ural had six catches for 227 yards and two scores.

American Canyon led 24-6 in the second quarter before Ethan Koo scored a touchdown just before halftime to cut the score to 24-13. However, the Wolves continued to score and Tam (1-5, 1-1 Valley) scored a cosmetic touchdown as the game ended, just two points away.

Canyon American running back Andre Lopez had over 200 yards rushing as the Wolves (5-0, 2-0) remained undefeated.

St. Vincent is rolling

Novato's Gabe Casanovas, the starting quarterback for the Petaluma-based Mustangs (4-1), threw six touchdowns and ran for a seventh in a 62-28 win over Fortuna on Saturday.

The Mustangs, who also got touchdowns from Novato residents Jack Ellis and Tyler Chelew, led 28-0 late in the first quarter. Casanovas completed 17 of 22 passes for 323 yards.

Men's tennis

Eliot Spizzirri continued his outstanding performance at the Tiburon Challenger by defeating the last remaining seed in Saturday's second semifinal.

Spizzirri defeated No. 2 student Tien 7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 6-2 to secure his place in Sunday's final. Spizzirri will face Nishesh Basavareddy, who beat Jack Pinnington Jones 6-2, 6-3 in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Thomas Schoolkate and Luke Sayville, the No. 2 seed, captured the doubles title Saturday by defeating Spizzirri and Patrick Kypson 6-4, 6-2 in Saturday's final.

Girls volleyball

Brianna Nottingham had eight kills and three aces as San Marin secured a 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-13 win over Novato on Friday night. Alison Hoburg added five kills and two blocks for the Mustangs (21-9, 2-3). Brooke Brumley had 10 digs and three aces. San Marin faced Novato again on Saturday in the NorCal Invitational, defeating the Hornets 2-1. The Mustangs also earned a victory over Oakland Tech en route to an appearance in the silver bracket championship game.

• In other MCAL action Friday night, Redwood defeated Archie Williams 25-9, 25-17, 25-18. Redwood hosts Branson on Wednesday night in a crucial league game. Marin Catholic needed four sets to defeat Tam, 25-20, 25-17, 12-25, 25-22. The game between San Rafael and Terra Linda was postponed until Tuesday due to San Rafael's homecoming.
• Marin Academy lost to rival University 25-17, 25-23, 25-18 on Friday night.

Girls tennis

Mirabel Arlander, Katie Warrin, Audrey Gilmor and Paloma Vano-Rice picked up singles wins for Branson in a 7-0 win over San Marin on Friday. Arlander defeated Deepti Bhat 4-6, 6-1, 10-5 in No. 1 singles.

Water polo for boys

Bern Kent scored a team-high six goals as Tam raced past Monte Vista 17-10 on Saturday. Reed Hanna added four goals and four steals and Fields Palmer scored three goals for the Red-tailed Hawks (4-3), who play three games in three days, starting Monday at home against Marin Catholic and ending with another home game against Terra Linda.

Originally published: October 5, 2024 at 7:19 p.m