November 24th 2024.
The atmosphere at Castlemont on Friday afternoon was brimming with intensity as McClymonds' victorious team celebrated their 15th consecutive Oakland Section championship. However, head coach Michael Peters' demeanor was far from joyful. In the postgame huddle, he urged his players to focus on the numerous mistakes and penalties they had made during their 32-7 win against an overmatched Oakland High team. Despite their impressive record, Peters reminded his team to never underestimate their opponents and to always strive for excellence.
Peters' ultimate goal for McClymonds was not just another section crown, but a fifth state championship. He wanted his players to regain the momentum they had before a brawl with Fremont-Oakland resulted in a forfeit and suspensions. Even with some key players out, the team had not faced a challenging opponent in weeks. However, the first quarter of the game against Oakland showed that this would not be an easy win for McClymonds.
Oakland quarterback Ymer Belvine made an impressive play, forcing McClymonds to fumble twice in a row and keeping the game scoreless. But the Warriors quickly gained the upper hand, scoring 20 consecutive points with a touchdown run by John "Sharky" Tamale, and touchdown receptions by Ugene Jackson and Rahsjon Duncan. Dominic Davis also contributed with 73 rushing yards. Junior quarterback Berell Staples, a transfer from Lincoln-Stockton, showed his skills by throwing two touchdowns and running for another.
Staples was ecstatic about the win and felt that all the hard work the team had put in throughout the season had finally paid off. His talented left arm had added a new dimension to the team's offense, which had previously been focused on running. Peters was pleased with this new versatility, stating that it would force other teams to study film and not just rely on stopping the run.
As the game approached halftime, Oakland gave their fans something to cheer about when Belvine connected with Isaiah Carter Noriega for a 15-yard touchdown pass. However, their momentum did not last, and McClymonds eventually sealed the victory. Despite the loss, Oakland's coach Terry Hendrix was proud of his team's performance, seeing it as a sign of things to come. He took over a team that had gone winless for two consecutive seasons and was determined to build a strong foundation for future success.
With a final record of 8-4, Oakland's season came to an end, while McClymonds improved to 8-4 and had two weeks to prepare for their next game. The Silver Bowl win was just the beginning, and Peters was confident that his team would continue to excel. The players also had high hopes for their future, with Rahsjon Duncan, Ugene Jackson, and Michael Peters Jr. all making impressive plays throughout the game.
Despite the intense competition, both teams showed mutual respect and sportsmanship. As the players shook hands and congratulated each other, it was clear that this game was about much more than just winning. It was about the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that brought these teams to the Silver Bowl. And for McClymonds, this win was just the tip of the iceberg.
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