McClymonds has a new Silver Bowl opponent after Castlemont forfeits semifinal win

Castlemont coach says ‘honest mistake and a mix-up’ leads to season-ending defeat

OAKLAND — McClymonds was supposed to play Castlemont in the Oakland Section championship game on Saturday night in the Silver Bowl.

Instead, after section officials discovered that Castlemont used an academically ineligible player in a semifinal game Friday night, the powerhouse program will host Oakland Tech.

Castlemont won 27-20 over Oakland Tech.

Castlemont coach Ed Washington said the player improved his grades during a two-week period during which the Oakland Unified School District allows for missed assignments. However, the CIF deadline had already passed.

Washington claimed he inadvertently looked at the player’s grades after the cutoff date.

“It’s on me, and it’s because of a date mix-up by me,” Washington told the Bay Area News Group on Monday. “It’s not the kid’s or the school’s fault; it’s Ed Washington’s.” It was a genuine mistake and misunderstanding.”

Castlemont finished the season 6-5 after losing to McClymonds in last year’s Silver Bowl.

Oakland Section commissioner Franky Navarro stated that his office was notified of the error on Friday night and that an investigation was launched shortly after the semifinal game ended.

“By Saturday morning, we had concluded the investigation,” Navarro said on Monday. “When we receive an inquiry, we forward it to the principal.” The information was verified by the principal, and we made our decision based on that.”

Navarro continued, “It wasn’t like he just purposefully put someone in there” who was ineligible.

McClymonds has won 12 Silver Bowls in a row, including ten under retiring coach Michael Peters. Oakland Section officials moved this year’s game to McClymonds to give Peters one last home game against an Oakland school.

Last week, Skyline forfeited its semifinal game at McClymonds.

McClymonds defeated Oakland Tech 40-0 two weeks ago and has outscored its five Oakland Athletic League opponents 251-0 this season.

Castlemont coach says ‘honest mistake and a mix-up’ leads to season-ending defeat

OAKLAND — McClymonds was supposed to play Castlemont in the Oakland Section championship game on Saturday night in the Silver Bowl.

Instead, after section officials discovered that Castlemont used an academically ineligible player in a semifinal game Friday night, the powerhouse program will host Oakland Tech.

Castlemont won 27-20 over Oakland Tech.

Castlemont coach Ed Washington said the player improved his grades during a two-week period during which the Oakland Unified School District allows for missed assignments. However, the CIF deadline had already passed.

Washington claimed he inadvertently looked at the player’s grades after the cutoff date.

“It’s on me, and it’s because of a date mix-up by me,” Washington told the Bay Area News Group on Monday. “It’s not the kid’s or the school’s fault; it’s Ed Washington’s.” It was a genuine mistake and misunderstanding.”

Castlemont finished the season 6-5 after losing to McClymonds in last year’s Silver Bowl.

Oakland Section commissioner Franky Navarro stated that his office was notified of the error on Friday night and that an investigation was launched shortly after the semifinal game ended.

“By Saturday morning, we had concluded the investigation,” Navarro said on Monday. “When we receive an inquiry, we forward it to the principal.” The information was verified by the principal, and we made our decision based on that.”

Navarro continued, “It wasn’t like he just purposefully put someone in there” who was ineligible.

McClymonds has won 12 Silver Bowls in a row, including ten under retiring coach Michael Peters. Oakland Section officials moved this year’s game to McClymonds to give Peters one last home game against an Oakland school.

Last week, Skyline forfeited its semifinal game at McClymonds.

McClymonds defeated Oakland Tech 40-0 two weeks ago and has outscored its five Oakland Athletic League opponents 251-0 this season.