The El Cerrito City Council on Dec. 16 formally honored the El Cerrito High School football team for winning the first state championship in the school’s history.
City leaders recognized players, coaches, families and supporters during a presentation at City Hall, marking a milestone season that capped a dramatic turnaround for the Gauchos program.
Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, a proud El Cerrito High alumna, delivered an emotional proclamation reflecting on her own time at the school and the significance of the championship for the community. She praised the team’s perseverance as student-athletes and highlighted how the victory builds on decades of Gaucho athletic tradition, while also setting a new benchmark for the program.
During the presentation, the mayor named past El Cerrito Gaucho standouts who went on to make an impact beyond high school, including Aaron Banks, Jerry Bell, Cornell Green, Camille Loud, Jamir Miller, Harvey Salem, Todd Spencer, Terrell Roberts and coach Lamont Thompson, underscoring the legacy the current team now joins.
Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto, also an El Cerrito High graduate, called the championship a point of pride for generations of Gauchos.
Head Coach Tim Johnson thanked the City Council, the community and the families who supported the team throughout the season. He presented the city with a framed team photo commemorating the Gauchos as state champions.
“I’m proud of this team, proud of this school and proud of this community,” Johnson said, adding that the championship was the result of collective effort and support.
After a tumultuous 2024 season in which El Cerrito was forced to forfeit multiple games due to ineligible players, the program has engineered a remarkable turnaround. The Gauchos finished the year with a 13-2 record and capped it off by defeating Beckman High School of Irvine 35–12 in the CIF Division 4-A state championship at Buena Park High School on Saturday, Dec. 13.