By John Sexton

 The Cal High Grizzlies took on both Casto Valley and the rain Friday night in an NCS first-round  playoff game.

 The Grizzlies were in control throughout the game, and knocked the Trojans out of  the postseason with a 47-0 shutout.  Cal had previously beaten the Trojans in an early non-league conference by a score of 45-14 at  Castro Valley.

 The Grizzlies, playing without starting senior quarterback Drew Reil, used two touchdowns by  junior wingback Armani Washington and a punt return touchdown by senior John Sarmenta to  take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. They never looked back. 

 Castro Valley did not cross midfield until the second half, when Cal’s second string was in. On Castro Valley’s first drive of the half, they moved into the red zone, but turned the ball over. Later, Cal also drove the ball to the red zone but didn’t convert as the game clock ran out. 

 This huge win against Castro Valley means the Grizzlies must now take on the Berkeley Yellowjackets in round 2 of the  NCS playoffs. The game will be on Nov. 26, at Cal High.