Oakland Parade Celebrates McClymonds High Football Championship

Oakland gave a hero's welcome to the McClymonds High School football team Friday for clinching the state's football championship last month.

The Warriors became the first Oakland high school football team in history to win the State 5-A football title. The team beat La Jolla Country Day School, an elite private school in San Diego.

“It’s truly a blessing and honor,” said team captain Angelo Garrett. “This, being my senior year, I can’t thank our supporters enough. It’s really an honor, and we are so glad to have made it so far.”

The city and school district joined forces to stage a street parade that began at City Hall and ended at McClymonds High in West Oakland.

Hundreds of supporters wore black and orange -- the school’s colors -- and turned out along city streets to cheer on the team, which is affectionately called “Mack-House.”

“For the boys, I hope it shows them that anything and everything is possible,” said Oakland Unified School District employee Cynthia Gilbert. “Their long and hard practices, which they committed to, all of that paid off. They’re a huge success.”

Residents say the young men bring a sense of hope, inspiration and unity to West Oakland, an area in the city that residents feel doesn’t get enough positive attention.

“This means a lot because this is our first time winning,” said Simon Sanders, a student at McClymonds High. “I’m pretty proud of the boys. They made history.”