In the early days of Decoto, the town gained a bit of a reputation for football. High school age boys formed their own team and played other towns in the area.
The Hayward Review covered a game in January, 1896, where the team from Decoto played the Hayward High football team. Despite a cold and foggy start to the day, by game time the sun was shining. It was reported that the Decoto team outclassed the Hayward team by their greater skill and style of playing. Decoto won the game with a score of 18 to 0.
The Decoto team practiced on Sundays at a local playing ground.
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The team line up in November of 1896 was:
M. Luna, Center
W. Peterson, Left Guard
E. Woods, Right Guard
C. Whipple, Left Tackle
J. Carr, Right Tackle
L. Decoto, Left End
F. Kelley, Right End
M. Anderson, Quarterback
Harry Searles, Fullback
F. Garcia, Left Half
H. Haines, Right Half
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In December 1896, Decoto went against the team from San Leandro, winning 30 to 0. It was reported that Searles, Carr, Whipple and Garcia won the game. In December, 1897, the Decoto team traveled to Niles for a game and won with a score of 26 to 0.
Although not a football player, Ezra Decoto Jr. became the Graduate Manager for the University of California's football team, organizing the different games with west coast universities. He started the position in 1901.
In 1903, James Whipple, of Decoto, joined the Cal football team, becoming the captain, a tackle, and the coach of the team in his senior year.
