On Halloween night at 7 p.m., the San Leandro High football team faced off against Castro Valley at Burrell Field. This was a must-win league game for our Pirates. The Pirates’ playoff hopes rested on winning this game if they wanted to advance to the playoffs. 

Tensions were very high before the game, as the players knew the win against Castro Valley was essential for a North Coast Section playoffs berth.

“This is a must win game,” said junior defensive end Esaias Villasenor.  

Adding fuel to the fire, this matchup was San Leandro High’s senior night and the team’s last home game before the playoffs. 

“It’s also a really special game because it’s senior night for our seniors and it’s their last home game,” said junior defensive end Omar Elmubarek. 

Players and coaches knew that Castro Valley was a good opponent and a threat to the team making the playoffs if they were not careful.

“The coaches were talking about them. They made them seem like they were a pretty good team,” said Elmubarek. “And the games before they played us, they were playing up good points.” Our Pirates expected a much closer game, yet they dominated Castro Valley at home, winning 42-7.

“We thought they would like put up a fight, but I guess they really didn’t,” said Elmubarek. 

The 42-7 victory was truly a team effort; every player contributed to the dominant final score. 

“I think the whole team put in work to win the game, because no one really did anything by themselves. We all, like, had to work together,” said Elmubarek. “Every single person contributed to that 42. Our goal isn’t just to win. It’s to play at that level every week.”