Fight breaks out, abruptly ends Bay Area high school football game in second quarter

OAKLAND – For the second time this season, a high school football game in Oakland abruptly ended in the second quarter because of violence. 

But unlike when El Cerrito had its Sept. 13 game was called early at Oakland Tech because of mayhem that started in the stands, Friday’s matchup between Fremont-Oakland and host McClymonds was stopped because of an altercation between players.

The incident occurred with McClymonds up 21-0 with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.

Longtime McClymonds coach Michael Peters believed the fight was started by a Fremont player who took offense to how a Warriors opponent tackled him on a kickoff return.

“This scuffle jumped off, and then Fremont’s whole team ran down, and then our guys who were transitioning (from special teams to defense) all ran over there,” Peters told Bay Area News Group on Friday night. “There was probably like two kids actually fighting.”

Fremont coach Tyler Newell said that he was turned away from the field and talking to coaches and thus didn’t see how the altercation started, but immediately went to break up the fight once he saw what was happening.

“I’m trying to teach my kids a lesson out of this,” Newell told this news organization on Saturday morning. “Tensions can rise and things can be said, but you have to stay strong and have the right mindset.”

Referees decided to call the game at that point, despite both teams wishing to resume play after order had been restored after around 10 minutes, and neither being aware of any injuries sustained during the incident.

 Whether the game will be counted as a no-contest or a McClymonds victory yet to be determined. 

Oakland Section commissioner Franky Navarro is waiting for more information before making any decisions. 

“I have yet to receive officials report,” he told this news organization on Saturday morning.

Peters said that he will review video of the incident, and then will hand out suspensions. McClymonds has 19 people on its roster, and its longtime coach will bring up JV players for next week’s game against Castlemont.

“We’re gonna lose some guys,” Peters said.

McClymonds is 3-3 this season and has won the past 13 OAL titles – known as the Silver Bowl. Under Peters, the Warriors have won six NorCal crowns and four state championships.

Fremont, which will play at Oakland High on Friday, is now 0-5 and is playing under its third different head coach in the past three seasons. The Tigers had their 2023 season-opener stopped due to fan violence.