Fans say, ‘It was a great season'

<p>It was all fun and games — or at least one big game — for Petaluma sports fans Sunday as they reveled in the 49ers' improbable ascension to the NFC championship game. At Candlestick Park and at sports bars and homes all over town they endured the roller coaster ride that finally ended in the pits of despair when their beloved Niners lost in overtime to the Giants from New York, 20-17.</p><p>But the gloom was short-lived as the fans reflected on their team's climb from an 6-10 also-ran to a 13-3 powerhouse that not only dominated the NFC Western Division, but went on to record one of the most thrilling playoff wins in team history when they defeated the New Orleans Saints, 36-32, on Jan. 14. It was the first 49er team in 14 years to play in a NFC championship game. </p><p>A group of long-time 49er fans were among the fortunate thousands to actually be at the game, motoring to San Francisco in a limousine bus for a traditional trek to Candlestick.</p><p>Several in the group of 25 on the excursion, arranged by Dan Libarle, were long-time friends who have been making periodic trips to 49er and San Francisco Giant baseball games for years, but this year was something special. </p><p>“It was a great time,” said Max Herzog. “I think it was special because nothing had been happening with the 49ers for the last nine years.” </p><p>The Petaluma group, as is their tradition, lunched before the game. This year the stop was at Caesar's Restaurant in North Beach. </p><p>“We've been doing trips for 30 years,” Libarle said. “We go a couple of times a year. “This time we had our wives along.”</p><p>He said the talk on the trip to Candlestick and during lunch was not so much about fun times in the past as it was about the previous week's game against the Saints and the game ahead. </p><p>Herzog's son, Trent Herzog, head football coach at Casa Grande High School, described the scene at Candlestick Park as “good chaos.”</p><p>“In all the years I've been going to the games, I can't remember the crowd ever being as loud as it was Sunday,” Max Herzog said.</p><p>“It got very, very crazy,” Libarle agreed. “We stood up the entire game. I don't thank anyone sat down the whole game.” </p><p>Herzog said that, despite storm predictions, it was a great Sunday for football game. “It wasn't like they showed on TV,” he said. “We hardly got wet at all. We had TVs in the limo, but we were all stayed right to the end of the game.”</p><p>Of course, given the dramatic overtime finish, no one was about to leave even if a monsoon had swept in from the bay.</p><p>Trent Herzog said the emotion for the championship game carried over from the playoff win over the Saints the week before. “I have never seen so much emotion at a 49er game — ever,” he said.</p><p>The enthusiasm died in a hurry when the Giants' Lawrence Tynes kicked the field goal that ended the 49er season.</p><p>“We were expecting a win,” Libarle said. “When that guy kicked the field goal the stadium went dead silent.” </p><p>Those who couldn't attend the game in person still found places to party while they cheered, laughed and cried in their beer, wine, soft drinks and other refreshments.</p><p>A large crowd gathered at the Beyond the Glory Sports Bar and Grill to enjoy barbecued oysters fresh from Tomales Bay and other comforting food and beverages.</p><p>It was an eclectic crowd of mostly red-garbed 49er rooters, with a scattering of blue-clad New England Patriot fans gathered early to watch the AFC championship game between the Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. Not a Giants' jersey could be seen. </p><p>Melissa Reed, a Boston native, was easy to spot in her Tom Brady jersey. “This is crazy,” she said after the Ravens' Billy Cundiff had missed a field goal sealing the Patriots' 23-20 win. “I wouldn't have guessed that the game would be this close. When he missed the kick I was just jumping up and down.” </p><p>Reed was at a table with a group of red-hot 49er fans that included Ken Hahn, a general contractor who video tapes Casa Grande football games. </p><p>“This is a great place to watch a game,” he said. “I've been coming here to watch games for a long time. I've already got my reservations in for a table for the Super Bowl. The crowd is great.”</p><p>Of course, that Super Bowl game will not include the 49ers, much to the disappointment of the partying Petalumans.</p><p>A large contingent of Rancho Cotate High School students and alumni arrived at 11:30 a.m. and spent the time doing what comes natural to young people. “We've had lots of food,” they explained. “We've been ordering appetizers all day.”</p><p>Tom Volpe, well dressed in 49er jersey, red and gold beads and paste-on eye black, said it was great to watch the game with a crowd of true 49er fans. </p><p>“This is the only place where everybody loves sports and everybody loves being with people who love sports,” he said. </p><p>One of the most rabid of the 49er Faithful was Nancy Arata who showed up in a treasured, vintage 49ers' sweater. The bad economy forced her to abandon the 49er season tickets she has had for 30 years, but it didn't stop her from celebrating.</p><p>The die-hard fan said her daughter, Jody, was named for Joe Montana and was likely a Super Bowl Baby, conceived on a Super Bowl Sunday, in 1985.</p><p>The crowd was in a happy mood long before the opening kickoff, loudly booing the pre-game announcers who, like Terry Bradshaw, had the audacity to pick the Giants to win, and standing in tribute while the National Anthem was sung.</p><p>When Vernon Davis caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith early on, the crowd's cheers might have registered on the Richter scale.</p><p>Of course, there was less to cheer about after the abrupt finish, but the crowd at least had oysters to comfort their saddened souls.</p><p>(Nina Zhito contributed to this story.)</p><p>(Contact John Jackson at johnie.jack son@argus courier.com)</p>