McClymonds quarterback Berell Staples (1) warms up before taking on Roseville in a CIF NorCal Division 3-A high school football championship game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 in Oakland, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND — There is no measuring the fight inside McClymonds quarterback Berell Staples.
The 6-foot-2, left-handed gun slinger was the definition of playing until the final whistle.
Though he finished the season throwing for 31 touchdowns and just two interceptions, the stats don’t tell the entire story for Staples.
Whether his team was up by 30 or down late in the fourth quarter, McClymonds could always rely on Staples to keep the Warriors steady, composed and locked into the moment.
Even on days when it looked as if McClymonds was outmatched and outgunned, as long as Staples was on the field, the Warriors always had a fighting shot.
Staples’ consistency and ability to put the team on his back when they needed him the most is why he is the Bay Area News Group’s Alameda County player of the year.
For Staples, representing Oakland was what motivated him and McClymonds this season.
“For us that’s everything. That’s the goal. That’s what we work for,” Staples said. “I’m beyond proud of the whole team for getting to this place, no matter what challenges we had to face along the way.”
McClymonds finished the season hoisting its 16th Oakland Section championship. In that game, Staples threw four touchdown passes and made every throw look easy.
It was a common theme for the Cal Poly-bound standout as his signature deep ball always seemed to find its target.
On a team that was void of depth, Staples was asked to make the most of a thin rotation. But even as the attrition of the season piled on, Staples was the constant for McClymonds.
In what was another stellar season for the West Oakland school, McClymonds finished the year with a signature win over WCAL powerhouse St. Francis and a NorCal Division 3-AA title, beating Roseville at home in Oakland.
In his final game in a McClymonds uniform, Staples went out swinging. He threw for over 150 yards and had a passing touchdown late in the third quarter in a 42-25 loss to Kennedy-Delano.
While his football career will go on next season, Staples said he was proud of everything McClymonds accomplished this season.
“We faced a lot of adversity as a team,” Staples said, holding back tears after McClymonds’ loss to Kennedy. “Those are the guys that I will fight for. Even after that loss, I will still remember this.”
All-BANG football online publication schedule
Monday, Jan. 5
Coach of the year
Alameda County player of the year
Contra Costa County player of the year
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Peninsula player of the year
Santa Clara County player of the year
Bay Area News Group player of the year
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Kickers/punters
Offensive line
Defensive line
Athletes
Thursday, Jan. 8
Linebackers
Running backs
Utility
Friday, Jan. 9
Defensive backs
Wide receivers/tight ends
Quarterbacks
Sunday, Jan. 11
Entire team in one article
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players and coaches.
Originally published at Nathan Canilao