Dennis Watson | San Dimas High School, Class of 1985
Football quarterback and baseball standout
Watson set San Dimas career passing records and led the Saints to two Smudge Pot victories. He also helped win the 1985 CIF Southern Section Division 1-A baseball championship and earned Player of the Year honors.
Career Highlights
- 3,927 passing yards and 53 touchdown passes, career school records listed in the 2025 record book
- Two Smudge Pot victories: 1983 and 1984
- 1985 CIF Division 1-A baseball champion and Player of the Year
Record-Setting Quarterback
From 1982 to 1984, Watson started at quarterback under head coach Don Warhurst. His passing production increased each season, culminating in 21 touchdown passes in 1984, a single-season school record still listed in 2025. He earned All-League recognition in 1983, when San Dimas averaged a then-school-record 30.4 points per game.
| Season | Passing yards | Passing TDs | Team record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1,178 | 15 | 4-6 |
| 1983 | 1,237 | 17 | 8-2 |
| 1984 | 1,512 | 21 | 7-3 |
| Career total | 3,927 | 53 | 19-11 |
Two Smudge Pot Victories
1983: San Dimas 20, Bonita 14
On September 23, 1983, Watson connected with Eli Mack on a 71-yard screen pass late in the third quarter, setting up a two-yard touchdown run. The Saints added a two-point conversion and held off a late Bonita comeback to reclaim the Smudge Pot trophy.
1984: San Dimas 46, Bonita 0
On September 21, 1984, Watson threw touchdown passes to Shawn Clark and Mike Stanley and contributed three two-point conversions, two passing and one rushing. Running back Jesse Canada rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints completed back-to-back rivalry victories with a shutout.
1985 CIF Baseball Championship
Watson excelled as a pitcher and hitter for the Montview League champion Saints. Entering the CIF playoffs, he held a 5-1 pitching record and a .422 batting average. San Dimas defeated San Jacinto, Fillmore, and Elsinore to reach the Division 1-A semifinals.
Semifinal: San Dimas 5, Whittier Christian 3
On May 28, 1985, Watson held top-seeded Whittier Christian to four hits. Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh inning, the Saints scored three runs to advance to the championship game.
Championship: San Dimas 5, Baldwin Park 4
On June 1, 1985, at Blair Field in Long Beach, San Dimas scored four runs in the fifth inning to defeat Baldwin Park and win the CIF Southern Section Division 1-A title. Watson drew a walk and scored during the decisive rally.
For his season, Watson was named 1985 CIF Southern Section Division 1-A Player of the Year and selected to the All-CIF First Team.
Smudge Pot Hall of Fame
Watson’s school passing records, consecutive Smudge Pot victories, and CIF championship baseball season distinguish him as one of San Dimas High School’s outstanding two-sport athletes.
Once a Saint, Always a Saint.
Historical Sources
- San Dimas High School Record Book, 2025 Second Edition, football records (p. 5), season results (p. 11), baseball championship history (p. 51).
- Los Angeles Times, May 16, 1985, “Pitching Is the Key to Playoffs for 3 San Gabriel Valley Teams.”
- Los Angeles Times, May 29, 1985, “Prep Baseball: Camarillo Upsets St. John Bosco, 7-2, in 4-A Semifinal.”
- Los Angeles Times, May 30, 1985, “Braves Batter Odds, Swing for 1-A Crown.”
- Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1985, “Southern Section Baseball: 1-A Division.”
- SmudgepotGame.com, 1983 and 1984 Smudge Pot archives.
Dennis Watson | Career Passing Records
| Season | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Team Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1,178 | 15 | 4-6 |
| 1983 | 1,237 | 17 | 8-2 |
| 1984 | 1,512 | 21 | 7-3 |
| Career Total | 3,927 | 53 | 19-11 |
Source: San Dimas High School Record Book,
2025 Second Edition, pages 5 and 11.
Statistics reflect the published record book.
