For most of the football season, Napa High junior Steven Robles would venture no farther than Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Indians.

But as the Indians faced their toughest challenge yet on Saturday against the St. Mary High School Rams , Robles was Stockton-bound to watch the action.

Robles, his brother, Ryan, 11, and their father, Richard, hopped on a rooter bus early Saturday morning, headed for the stadium on the University of Pacific campus.

On a chilly Saturday morning, the Robles’ were the first to arrive at Napa’s Memorial Stadium to catch the 58-passenger California Wine Tour bus that would take them to the game.

“It’s the biggest game of the year and we are going to be almost the first ones in the gate,” said Ryan, a student at American Canyon Middle School.

All week at Napa High School, students had been buzzing about the prospect of winning the high school’s first section title. On Friday, the school held a spirit rally for the team that got the students even more fired up, Steven said.

For father Richard Robles, getting on the rooter bus was a simple decision. “You can save gas, plus you can be with the fans and talk about it (the game),” he said.

Students weren’t the only fans to step onto the bus. Tailback Jake Croxdale’s grandparents, Ray and Lois, sat in the front row of the bus, ready to watch their grandson work his magic on the football field.

“We are really proud,” Lois said. “Jake has done really well.”

When asked why they chose to board the rooter bus instead of driving to the game Lois said, “It’s just nice to be around other people” who share their enthusiasm.

Mary and Kevin Donohoe, friends of the Croxdales, said boarding the rooter bus to the game was a matter of supporting their long-time friends as well as Mary’s alma mater.

What’s important about this game?

“It will be a first (time the Indians won a section Div. 1 championship),” Lois said. “So if they will do it today, It will be a real asset to the community.”

For $25, fans received a cozy round-trip ride, refreshments and a highlight video documenting the school’s 12-1 record going into Saturday’s action. The ride home was laced with the sweetness of the Indians’ victory over the Rams for their first section title.