McClymonds wins record 5th-straight Silver Bowl, now waits for decisions

OAKLAND, Calif. — The McClymonds (Oakland) football team celebrated an Oakland Section-record fifth straight Silver Bowl title Friday afternoon at Laney College.

Dynamic 5-foot-7, 180-pound running back Lavance Warren rushed 24 times for 190 yards and two scores and a hard-hitting, sure-tackling defense did the rest in a tougher-than-expected 17-8 victory over a very game Fremont (Oakland) squad.

The McClymonds players hoisted the championship trophy, posed for countless photos and hugged parents and fans. It was a robust celebration, but one also filled with one prevailing question.

Now what?

The section crown automatically threw the Warriors into CIF Division IV Northern California regional title game consideration along with four or five other undetermined teams.

They've been picked for the game the last two years and lost to Central Catholic-Modesto. At 12-0 and having outscored foes 536-74, this McClymonds squad vastly more qualified than the previous two and has the top Div. IV power ranking (32.2) in the state, well above NorCal No. 2 Central Catholic (26.0).

"We've done everything on the field we possibly can to be picked," McClymonds coach Michael Peters said. "We've got all the bragging rights."

The possible hold-up is an off-the-field issue with junior transfer quarterback Kevin Davidson, who played the team's first four games but was ruled ineligible by the Oakland school district for residential issues. He sat out the final eight games but still practices with the team and was on the sideline Friday in street clothes.

Davidson's family has appealed the ruling which still hasn't been decided yet – the deadline is Dec. 5. If the appeal isn't upheld, it's possible the Warriors will have to forfeit the four games Davidson played.

The school district and OAL commissioner Russell White has told Peters there will be no forfeits. But, then again, Peters said, White was the one who cleared Davidson to play before the season.

"Frankly, right now, I don't what to believe anymore," Peters said. "I've heard this and that. I don't know. We just play them one game at a time.

"We're just hopeful that our commissioner fights for us now. Like he should."

Even with four forfeit losses, the commissioners who handpick the regional finalist could still pick McClymonds. But historically, they haven't picked teams with forfeit losses.

"We put up more points when Kevin was gone than when he was here," Peters said. "Kevin was and still is a big part of our team. But we still went undefeated without him. I think a lot of people thought we were going to lose."

With Davidson, a 6-4, 225-pound junior who is a FBS prospect, McClymonds averaged 51 points per game. Without him before Friday, they averaged 45.

"We wouldn't have played Kev if they hadn't cleared him in the first place," Warren said. "We shouldn't be put at fault for that."

Davidson, in the middle of the celebration, said after it that watching from the sideline is difficult. He helps plenty with the scout team during the week.

"It's always tough every week," he said. "It's out of my control. I'm just staying in shape so I'll be ready if given the call."

Davidson said his team has been ultra supportive, and not a hint of resentful.

"It's not fair," he said. "I was cleared. We did everything we were supposed to. The team has been awesome about it. They're not mad at me. They understand everything that's going on."

Davidson, who transferred from San Ramon Valley-Danville, said no matter how the appeal process shakes out he'll attend McClymonds the rest of the school year. "And next year too," he said.

In Friday's game, McClymonds struggled offensive against a physical and active Fremont defense, led by Tyshone Gaines (6-2, 175). McClymonds managed just 239 yards but took advantage of an early Fremont fumble to travel 38 yards and a Warren 3-yard TD run, making it 6-0 with 7:33 left in the first quarter.

Fremont (8-4) countered with a 12-play, 62-yard drive that chewed up almost seven minutes, capped by a 1-yard TD run by quarterback Ronald Ragland. A two-point conversion pass from Ragland to Ka'vaun Murdock made it 8-6 early in the second quarter.

The Warriors went no where the rest of the half, but took the lead for good on a scintillating 57-yard TD burst by Warren on the first play of the second half. He broke several tackles, powered down the right sideline before diving into the end zone.

"Fremont is tough," Warren said. "They gang tackle and are fast and aggressive. But our defense is even better."

Said Peters: "Our defense has been our backbone all season. We really needed them today."

They got huge efforts up front from Lester Stanley, Janiero Rodriguez, Kelton Runnels and Tavion Foster. McClymonds' secondary, all first-team All-League standouts, was especially active coming forward. They also allowed just 20 passing yards.

"Our coaches always tell us to be like 11 piranhas and attack," said Foster, a junior.

Fremont's defense was equally impressive, which pleased second-year coach Terry Hendrix to no end. The Tigers, with just 20 on the roster, never gave in, even when McClymonds was knocking at the door in the final minute.

Three times from inside the Fremont 2, the Tigers held and though they didn't prevail, the message was clear for the future.

"This is a rivalry and we will be seeing Mack here for years to come," Hendrix said. "I'm proud of our guys. We literally fought to the bitter end, even with the game was decided. That's a tremendous sign."