2024 Smudge Pot

Friday, September 13, 2024 – 7:30 at Citrus College

In the 52nd annual Smudge Pot rivalry, Bonita High School’s football team extended its dominance over San Dimas, delivering a commanding 47-7 victory on Friday night at Citrus College. Junior quarterback Travis Lippert orchestrated the win with an impressive aerial display, throwing for 333 yards and five touchdowns completing 14 of 17 passes, securing Bonita’s sixth consecutive triumph in the series.

San Dimas briefly stirred hope with an early onside kick recovery, but the Saints’ chance at an upset faded quickly. After their offense failed to convert, Lippert unleashed a 74-yard bomb to senior Dylan Robinson, igniting Bonita’s offensive onslaught. Robinson, a University of Washington commit, finished with 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including another 75-yard score later in the game.

“That (opening play) was in the script,” Robinson said. “We knew it was going to be an exciting play to start. We just went out and did what we practiced.”

Lippert, who stepped into the starting role after the previous starter transferred to Ontario Christian, showcased remarkable poise and precision. “It’s a great program,” Lippert said. “Coach Beatty and Coach Bogan preach a great atmosphere, and there’s no other high school I’d rather be at than Bonita.”

“We’ve got a kid (Lippert) who wore it all last year as the backup quarterback,” Beatty said. “We’re bigger on O-line, so he has some time and he’s shown resilience. The kid could’ve dipped when it got tough last year and he didn’t.”

The Bearcats (4-0) scored touchdowns on all seven of their possessions, turning the game into a one-sided affair by halftime. Co-coach Bo Beatty emphasized the team’s unity and work ethic. “They lean into each other and aren’t worried about their own success. They’re focused on what Team Bonita is trying to accomplish.”

San Dimas (2-1) managed a glimmer of offense when quarterback Brandon Meredith connected with Jeremiah Gibson Fernandez for a 47-yard touchdown to close the gap to 14-7. However, Bonita responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Lippert to Cole Parra before Robinson’s second touchdown, which stretched the lead to 27-7 just before halftime.

Adding to Bonita’s dominant performance was star senior linebacker and wide receiver, Noah Mikhail, a Texas A&M commit, who showcased his versatility on both sides of the ball. Mikhail contributed with a key 5-yard touchdown run in the third quarter topping off an 80-yard drive, extending Bonita’s lead and further crushing San Dimas’ hopes of a comeback. Mikhail’s impact on defense was equally significant, with his presence helping to stifle the Saints’ offense throughout the night. “He’s a leader on and off the field,” co-coach Bo Beatty said. “His ability to make plays in all phases of the game gives us a huge advantage.”

After San Dimas got the ball back in the next series, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when the Bearcats recovered a fumble at the Saints 28 yard line. Cole would score another touchdown for Bonita on a 5 yard run.

While the victory marked a key milestone in Bonita’s season, Beatty urged his players to maintain a growth mindset. “You’ve got to get better. You can’t get satisfied. We haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “We’ve been in this spot before, and it hasn’t quite finished the way we wanted.”

With Lippert at the helm and Robinson leading the receiving corps, Bonita appears primed for another deep run this season. Coach Beatty acknowledged the strength of their rivals, saying, “San Dimas is a very good football team year in and year out.” For San Dimas, the game will serve as a tough lesson, but one that could fuel their efforts as they regroup and push forward in 2024.

Post Game Interviews

Standout performances from seniors Dylan Robinson and Noah Mikhail highlighted the game, with Robinson scoring two touchdowns and recovering a fumble. Both players emphasized the importance of preparation and maintaining focus. “We prepare for every game the same, can’t take any opponent lightly,” Robinson said, while Mikhail added, “We treat every game as a challenge, regardless of who we’re playing.”

The rivalry win carried extra satisfaction for the team, especially with some pregame talk from San Dimas adding fuel to their fire. Despite the dominant scoreline, Robinson and Mikhail were quick to deflect praise to their teammates, especially junior quarterback Travis Lippert, who threw five touchdown passes. “Travis is great,” Robinson noted. “People put him as an underdog at the beginning of the season, but we always knew he was going to be great.”

Lippert himself reflected on the win, describing the game as “fun” and noting how well everything clicked for the offense. Coach Bo Beatty lauded Lippert’s leadership and resilience, calling him the best quarterback in the San Gabriel Valley. Beatty highlighted the team’s culture of hard work, mutual respect, and celebrating each other’s success, which he believes fosters a bond that transcends the football field. “When you’ve got kids who are focused on the team and not on themselves, that’s something special,” Beatty said. “These kids are learning lessons that go beyond football—they’re becoming better people.”

The praise extended beyond just the star players. Joseph Lara, a versatile player known for his dual-threat abilities, was recognized for his contribution both as a rusher and receiver. Lippert echoed this sentiment, pointing out how difficult it is for opponents to game plan against Lara. Coach Beatty also gave credit to players like Jacob Maddox and Isaiah Lazar, whose efforts may not always make the headlines but are crucial to the team’s overall success. He praised Lippert’s perseverance from last season, underscoring his leadership and resilience in earning the starting role this year.

Senior Adyden Garcia also played a pivotal role on defense, helping to shut down San Dimas. Garcia, now in his third year on varsity, cherished the dominant win in his senior year, calling it “wonderful” and “the best.” He credited the victory to doing his job and staying disciplined, as emphasized by Coach Beatty. When asked to grade the team through the first four games, Garcia gave them a B+, acknowledging room for growth but confident that they would continue to improve.

Garcia spoke about the strong bond within the team, describing it as a “tight Brotherhood.” He dismissed any notion of jealousy among teammates, despite stars like Mikhail and Robinson often receiving more attention. “It’s all love,” Garcia said. “Those are our boys, no cockiness, all Brotherhood.” As the Bearcats look ahead to the rest of the season, they remain focused on building upon their family-like atmosphere and continuing their winning ways.