2012 FB Preview: OAKLAND

By CHACE BRYSON | Editor

McClymonds sets up for an extended run of OAL dominance

To the rest of the Oakland Athletic League, watching the 2011 Silver Bowl had to be more than a bit depressing.

Here was McClymonds High, getting the best of Skyline to close out a 10-2 season and claiming a second straight Silver Bowl title “” and they were doing it while using six freshmen and four sophomores during the course of the season. And while the Warriors did graduate star seniors like Eddie Heard Jr. and Harold Holcomb, they still bring back a majority of a roster that’s already tasted success.

So the rest of the league may be a bit deflated, but, predictably, McClymonds coach Curtis McCauley couldn’t be more ecstatic heading into 2012. 

“I like that we finally have some experience,” the coach said. “(The younger guys) have made some tremendous strides.”

One of those players is Lavance Warren, who as a freshman established himself as an All-City strong safety, and is now likely to take over lead running back duties as well. He’ll have the added benefit of running behind a big, experienced offensive line that includes seniors Dajon Ford, Kevin Vaughn and sophomore Kelton Reynolds.

“It’s a blessing to run behind those guys,” Warren said the day after the team hosted Balboa-S.F. in a final tune-up scrimmage before the team opens the season on Aug. 31 at Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland. “(Our offense) is looking pretty sharp. I feel like we have a good squad this year. We’re big, strong and fast.”

McCauley has never been afraid to test his team’s strengths in the preseason. This year is no different as the Warriors will follow their Bishop O’Dowd opener with nonleague games against Minico-Rupert (ID.), West Valley-Cotton and Oak Grove-San Jose. The four nonleague opponents combined to go 35-9 in 2011.

“It will be a real test,” McCauley said. “We’ll definitely find out what kind of team we are.” 

And while everybody else might be assuming McClymonds is the unquestioned favorite to win a third Silver Bowl, McCauley won’t be planning on a cake walk. 

“I’m expecting a rock ’em sock ’em year,” he said. “It’s always a black and blue league. We (as a league) may not do well statistically against other teams, but when we play against one another it changes everything.”

Skyline, who lost last year’s Silver Bowl 33-19 to the Warriors, lost its biggest two-way star Jamal Mayo, but should still find itself in the top half of the standings and be a threat in the playoffs. Fremont, under new coach Terry Hendrix, and Oakland Tech should also be in the mix. 

But as far as Warren’s concerned, the Warriors just need to worry about themselves.

“We don’t have a ton of depth, so we’re going to have to tough it out in a lot of these games,” he said. “But we have good chemistry and we’re going to put it together this year.”

WE CALL IT

How we expect the OAL to finish (2011 record)

1 McClymonds (10-2)

2 Skyline (4-7)

3 Oakland Tech (4-7)

4 Fremont (1-8)

5 Castlemont (3-7)

6 Oakland (0-10)

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

“¢ Lavance Warren, SS/RB, McClymonds, So.

All-City DB as a freshman, now takes on RB duties.

“¢ Kendrick Payne, WR/DB, Skyline, Sr.

Legit two-way threat lead the OAL in interceptions in 2011.

“¢ Yusef Sterling-Lowe, WR/DB, McClymonds, Sr.

Should be a weapon on both sides of the ball

“¢ Thomas Logwood, RB, Castlemont, Sr.

Could be among the real bright spots for Knights

“¢ James Lewis, QB, Oakland Tech, Jr.

Second-team All-City pick a year as a sophomore

TOP 5 GAMES

Our pick for the best OAL-related regular season games. 

8/31   McClymonds at Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland, 5:30 pm

9/7   Granada-Livermore at Skyline, 7 pm

9/14   Pitman-Turlock at Oakland Tech, 7:30 pm 

10/12  McClymonds at Skyline, 3:30 pm

11/3   Fremont at McClymonds, 2 p.m.