Stevenson football

As gut wrenching as last year's failed two-point conversation was in the final minute of a 7-6 loss to Pacific Grove, it served a purpose for Stevenson coach Bruce Dini.
 While he thought about it, even agonized over it, Dini never regretted the decision.
 "I'd do it again,'' Dini said.
 Dini believed in his players. Friday he was rewarded with a measure of redemption.
 While starring at a 14 point deficit in the first half wasn't how he envisioned it, the end result was all that mattered.
 The Pirates rallied for 28 straight points behind four touchdown passes from Casey Mornhinweg in a 28-14 win over Pacific Grove, snapping a five game losing streak to their neighbors in the forest.
 "This one is about the kids,'' Dini said.
 True.
 The core of this year's team was a part of that heartbreaking defeat last fall. The faith Dini showed in them, though, carried over into this season.
 This was a statement game for the Pirates, who haven't been to the postseason since 2000. They beat the reigning two-time Mission Trail Athletic League champions.
 Now at 3-1 overall, can Stevenson build off it for the final five games? This was an important win, maybe the biggest since 2000.
 Because Stevenson is now in a position to where it controls its postseason fate. But this was just one barrier in a path of several that lie ahead.