The Southern Marin Broncos pose with the Best of the West championship trophy Dec. 3 after beating the La Costa Canyon Mavericks 14-8. The Broncos finished 11-1 on the season.
(Provided by Joe Rafter)

The Southern Marin Broncos Pee Wee football team capped off its season with a stunning double-overtime victory over the La Costa Canyon Mavericks Dec. 3 to win the Division 1 Best of the West Championship.

Earlier, the previously undefeated Broncos had their hopes of a national championship dashed when they fell to the powerhouse Almaden Mustangs, 12-0. That loss put them in the alternate bracket for a shot at the Division 1 Northwest Region Championship.

The Broncos won games in Santa Cruz and Reno to make the final, where they faced off against La Costa Canyon out of Carlsbad. Against the Mavericks, the Broncos were facing a pass-heavy offense like they'd never seen but they rose to the occasion. They jumped out to an early, 8-0 lead before a Mavericks score tied the game and forced overtime.

Undaunted, the Broncos scored and were able to shut down La Costa Canyon, winning the game 14-8 and with it, the right to call themselves Best in the West.

The Broncos finished their season 11-1.

-Jeff Dempsey