BONITA: 14 – SAN DIMAS: 0
Friday, October 5, 2001 at San DImas
Bonita defeated San Dimas 14-0, marking the Bearcat’s seventh consecutive win over the Saints. In a game marred with mistakes from both sides, the Bearcats triumphed with their steady defense. San Dimas and Bonita turned the ball over seven times, had 11 punts and six three and out drives.
“It’s been like that for us all season,” Bonita coach Eric Podley said. “It’s been frustrating, frustrating, frustrating. Something good was bound to happen to us eventually.”
The end of the game was almost near, and the scoreboard was still 0-0, leaving both teams desperate for an opportunity to score. With 1:50 remaining of the final quarter, Bearcats player Korey Johnson intercepted an overthrown Phil Bessera pass for a touchdown successfully breaking the scoreless tie to a lead of 7-0. . After the touchdown a scuffle broke out between Bonita’s Johnson and San Dimas’ Bryan Dragus resulting in both players getting ejected from the game. “When it’s time to take it upon ourselves, we do.” Johnson shared after the game.
The Saints returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards setting up the opportunity to tie the game. However, Bonita’s Sean Macaulay intercepted another of Bessera’s passes on the next play leading to another touchdown. With the Bearcat’s up 14-0, and limited time left, the Saints were unable to score, making the Bonita the victors. Bessera finished the night with four interceptions though Bonita’s quarterback was not much better getting picked twice. Bonita couldn’t score from the 1 yard line in the third quarter.
“We made our own mistakes tonight, and just like all year, we were our own worst enemy at times,” Podley said. “But our defense continues to put us out.”
With the penalties, ejections and the frustration of losing to Bonita , first year coach Mark Hayes could only shake his head after the game. “The kids really deserved a win.” Hayes said. “This program has been through a lot of turmoil in the last year-and-a-a half. If anyone deserved something positive to happen, it was them.”
Teams |
Quarter 1 |
Quarter 2 |
Quarter 3 |
Quarter 4 |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonita | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| San Dimas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stats | B: Johnson 28 yard interception return for TD (Kick Bernal) B: Macaulay 45 yard interception return for TD (Kick Bernal) |
[/gem_table][gem_table]
Bonita |
TEam Statistics |
San Dimas |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | First Downs | 6 |
| 43carries for 161 yards | Rushes | 19 carries for 13yards |
| 31 yards | Pass Yards | 122 yards |
| 4 for 14 (2 interceptions) | Passes | 10 for 26 (4 interceptions) |
| 4 punts for 38.0 yards | Punts Averages | 4 punts for 29.0 yards |
| 5 fumble with 3 lost | Fumbles lost | 2 fumbles (none lost) |
| 9 penalties for 66 yards | Penalties Yards | 8 penalties for 81 yards |
[/gem_table][gem_table]
Player |
Position |
Game Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Hawkins (Bonita) | Rushing | 14 carries for 73 yards |
| Stephenson (Bonita) | Rushing | 13 carries for 67 yards |
| Prestella(San Dimas) | Rushing | 16 carries for 28 yards |
| Nichole (Bonita) | Passing | 4 for 13 for 31 yards with 2 interceptions |
| Bessera (San Dimas) | Passing | 10 for 26 for 133 yards and 4 interceptions |
| Beher (Bonita) | Receiving | 2 for 8 yards |
| Hughes(San Dimas) | Passing | 3 for 63 yards |
[/gem_table]
Varsity Bearcats
Ara Abkarian, Bradley Alvarado, Matt Andersen, Daniel Arellano, Bubba Barnes, Jonathan Behr, Ryan Bennett, Ryan Bernal, Sean Bernal, Bei Betkey, Chris Cassinelli, Chris Cedre, Rhys Clark, Johnny Cortez, Matt DeMercado, Vaughn Dorsey, Chris Eder, Mike Eskay, Ivan Espinosa, Charvis Fauce, Manuel Franco, Luis Gonzales, Justin Grimm, Cody Harrison, Courtney Hawkins, Jayvonne Horn, Pablo Intile, Korey Johnson, Steve Ledesma, Mac Leonce, Shelby Lightfoot, David Loera, Jimmy Lopez, Mike Lopez, David Luce, Joesph Lucero, Sean Macaulay, Cody Maldonado, Karel Martinez, Sir Aaron Mason, Zac McMinn, Eric Mendoza, Patrick Meraz, Andrew Morales, Mike Morales, Josh Murphy, Tommy Musa, Chase Nichole, Zak Ols, Martin Padilla, Luke Phillips, Dossie Phillips, Chris Riley, Kurt Rode, Miguel Rodriguez, Tim Rodriquez, Ron Rodriguez, Jonathan Rojas, Brandon Salce, Brian Sandona, Ryann Sartor, Chris Sayegh, Jason Schmidt, Tim Scroggins, Eric Setterland, Brandon Siegler, Travis Simison, Trinel Stephson, Daniel Sullivan, Ricardo Valdez, Jerry Valenzuela, Brent Williams, Daniel Wood Stat girls: Erin Clark, Annie Rodriguez, Lily Rodriguez, Anna Anderson, Nuvia Lopez, Nicole Jobin Coaches: E.Podley, R.Medina, J.Thomas, C.Parsons, J.Samuelson, L Gardner, D. Donoho, R. Reclusado, E. Vasquez
“There are two games that stand out in the 2001 season. TheFirst, of course, is the Smudge-Pot game against San Dimas. It was an exciting game that we won in the last two minutes, Sean Macaulay and Korey Johnson intercepted two passes on two consecutive series and returned them for touchdowns. The best played game was against Covina. Both the offense and defense played well and won a dominating victory of 28-0.” – Coach Podley
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Varsity Saints
Front: Chris Flaig, Steve Cable, Kristina Petrossian, Jon Borzilieri, Kyle Mendez, Andrew Diaz, Alex Zamudio, Frank Anaya, Thomas Quagliata.
Row Two: Steve Holguin, Richard Tellez, Christian Posadas, Carlos Monterrosa, Malachi Smalley, Jonathan Schlabs, Anthony Porter, Enrique Aldridge, Luis Anaya.
Row Three: Lisa Horn, Heather Johnson, Craig Monteilh, Naki Jenkins, Mark Hayes, Rudy Figueroa, Mike Fuller, Randy Whiley, Zuleyca Castillo, Patty Gonzalez.
Row Four: Casey Carlson, Joseph Rubio, Chris Turner, James Holm, Blake Sterkel, Eli Smalley, Tommy Prestella, Demetrius Hughes, Mike Carmody.
Row Five: Steve Winkelman, Daniel Matson, Kurtis King, Phil Beserra, Jared Seal, Bryan Borra, Rodney Rich, Daniel Rodriquez, Daniel Gomez. Back: Cameron Nazemzadeh, Jon Sidhom, JT Rentschler, Mike Barron, Nick Beirne, Steven Bustillos, Ben Knight, lan Tyler, Bryan Dragus.
RIGHT Track
With an all new coaching staff, the varsity football team got off to a rough start. “It was a hard year, but hopefully we will do better next year,” said junior linebacker Steve Winkelman. In the Smudge Pot game against Bonita, the saints held the score weakened by many injuries to key players. Bryan Drags suffered fractured collar bone and Tommy Prestella and Cameron Nazemzadeh both tore ligaments in their legs. “It was hard to watch my team struggle when I knew I couldn’t help, said wide-receiver junior Bryan Dragus. Finishing the season with a two and five record was not exactly what they hoped for, but the team definitely showed improvement. “I think things got better at the end of the season. Our defense improved and we started scoring more points per game. Next season looks very hopeful with six returners on both defense and offense,” said head coach Mark Hayes.
By Sara Monegan, El Santo ’02
Captain’s Corner
- “Although it was a rough year, I will never forget the memories,” – Senior Tommy Prestella
- “It was a fun year, but I can’t wait until next year. I Know the team will be more ready,” – Junior Phil Beserra
- “I am glad that I decided to play football my senior year. It was a good experience and even though the we didn’t come in first place or win CIF, we had a good time,” – Senior Cameron Nazemzadeh
Smudge Pot Quotes
"We wanted to stick with what we do best. We wanted to put the ball in his (White's) hands"
Eric Podley | Bonita High School Coach
