2025 Smudge Pot

Friday, September 12, 2025 – 7:00 at Mt Sac

For a rivalry defined by momentum swings, memorable plays and more than five decades of history, the 2025 Smudge Pot added another chapter that belonged to Bonita.

The Bearcats overcame an early interception return for a touchdown, answered each San Dimas challenge and pulled away in the second half for a 28-14 victory at Mt. San Antonio College. It was Bonita’s seventh consecutive victory in the rivalry.

The win carried added significance for a Bonita team that had endured a difficult start to the season and entered the game without quarterback Travis Lippert and running back/linebacker Joseph Lara. After the game, Bonita defensive end Levi Gregorich viewed the victory as potentially bigger than one night.

“I think this is going to be a turning point in the trajectory of our team,” Gregorich said. “We faced a lot of adversity, and now is our turning point.”

San Dimas struck first with its defense.

With about 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Liam Loyola intercepted Bonita quarterback Cade Burbidge and returned the ball 39 yards for a touchdown, giving the Saints a 7-0 lead.

The play matched what San Dimas coach Mark Holman had hoped his defense could create.

“Hopefully, our guys are in the right place at the right time,” Holman said before the game. “It won’t hurt to make a play or two in there. We’re gonna throw everything at them and hopefully we can cause a few turnovers.”

Bonita’s response came on the ground.

Sophomore running back Sebastian Vasquez finished with 103 rushing yards and tied the game with a 3-yard touchdown run. He credited the blocking in front of him for helping establish the Bearcats’ rushing attack.

“I’m excited for this team,” Vasquez said. “Shoutout to my lineman for making those blocks for me.”

Jacob Maddox followed with another big play before halftime. The senior broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run that gave Bonita a 14-7 advantage. Maddox finished with 76 rushing yards on nine carries, added four receptions for 32 yards and contributed seven tackles.

Bonita nearly produced another score before halftime when cornerback Matt Millazo came close to returning an interception for a touchdown. The play was ruled out of bounds, but it still earned praise from Gregorich.

“We’ll give it to him,” Gregorich said. “That was an amazing play.”

San Dimas answered after halftime.

Quarterback Brandon Meredith connected with Jacob Gallegos for a 36-yard touchdown, pulling the Saints even at 14-14. Meredith finished 5 of 13 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Gallegos was San Dimas’ most productive offensive player, rushing 15 times for 77 yards and catching six passes for 92 yards, including the touchdown.

The tie did not last long.

Bonita went back to the running game before Burbidge used play action and his legs to keep the Saints off balance. The drive eventually ended with Burbidge finding Adam Hodgson for a 19-yard touchdown and a 21-14 lead.

The touchdown carried extra meaning for Hodgson, who had missed the previous season because of illness.

“The dude comes back,” Bonita coach Bo Beatty said. “He’s just getting better every week.”

Burbidge finished 9 of 13 for 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception. For the sophomore quarterback, however, the night was about much more than his individual numbers.

“Ever since I got here as a freshman, we’ve been working towards this game,” Burbidge said. “The fans are amazing. Our coaches are amazing for getting us started early, and it’s just a great team I have around me.”

Bonita put the game away in the fourth quarter.

With the Bearcats continuing to feature Vasquez and Maddox, San Dimas had to account for the two primary runners. Bonita took advantage by giving Adrian Garza the ball near the goal line, and Garza scored from 5 yards out to extend the lead to 28-14.

From there, the Bearcats’ defense closed the door.

Bonita held San Dimas to 195 yards of total offense and forced the Saints into consecutive three-and-outs late in the game. Isaiah Lazarus led Bonita with 10 tackles, while Maddox had seven. Ryder Grosenbach and Parker Alexander recorded six tackles apiece, and Matthew Mijares added five.

The victory reflected an old-fashioned formula: run the football, control the line of scrimmage and rely on the defense.

“I thought we turned back the clock back to 1955 the way we won that game,” Beatty said. “First things first. To God be the glory.”

Bonita finished with four offensive touchdowns, three on the ground and one through the air. Vasquez and Maddox combined for 179 rushing yards, while Garza supplied the fourth-quarter touchdown that provided the final margin.

San Dimas had its opportunities. Loyola’s interception return gave the Saints the early advantage, and Meredith’s touchdown pass to Gallegos tied the game in the third quarter. But after the score reached 14-14, Bonita scored the final 14 points.

For Burbidge, that ability to answer was part of what makes the Smudge Pot different from an ordinary regular-season game.

“Their defense did come out to play today,” Burbidge said. “But it’s a rivalry game. It’s always going to be hard.”

When the final seconds expired, the Smudge Pot remained with Bonita for another year, extending a winning streak in the rivalry that began in 2018.