McClymonds fetes retiring Peters in Silver Bowl

The party at McClymonds High School, one celebrating the career of longtime coach Michael Peters, began long before the Warriors won their 13th consecutive Silver Bowl with a 56-0 victory over Oakland Tech on Saturday night.

The entire day, starting in the early afternoon with girls flag football playoffs and championships, was an opportunity for visitors and well-wishers to congratulate the man who has won four state titles, six NorCal crowns and 11 section championships with the Oakland school.

Peters, 55, announced two weeks ago that he was stepping down after the season.

“I got a chance to coach at the place I went to school at, and fortunately we had a great time,” said Peters, who graduated from McClymonds in 1986 and began his coaching career at Mack as an assistant in 1992. “I couldn't ask for anything better. I had a great group of coaches and kids.”

Among those in attendance were a host of former players and coaches who dotted the sidelines and stands, many of whom greeted Peters warmly as he went about his pregame routine.

“That was huge for me, seeing the guys that I started coaching with,” Peters said.

The game was originally set to be played at a neutral site. But after Skyline forfeited its playoff game at McClymonds, the section agreed to let the Warriors host the championship in order to give Peters one more home game against an Oakland opponent. Oakland Tech advanced to the Silver Bowl after Castlemont forfeited.

McClymonds won its section by outscoring opponents 251-0 in five running-clock victories, and Oakland Tech, which lost 40-0 in the regular season, fared no better in the rematch.

Redmani Albert scored four touchdowns and teammate Tajir Golden ran for two touchdowns and returned an interception for a TD as McClymonds rolled to another easy victory over an Oakland Athletic League opponent. Michael Peters went his entire head coaching career without losing to an Oakland Athletic League opponent.

McClymonds will face Marin Catholic in a NorCal final Saturday, but it's clear that a regional title won't be enough for the McClymonds players.

They want to send Peters out with a fifth state championship.

“That would mean a lot. He has a legacy here,” league MVP Albert said. “We want to send him off strong.”