San Dimas: 33 – Bonita: 0
Friday, November 17, 1972 At Bonita Field
The upstart San Dimas Saints soundly defeated the Bonita Bearcats 33-0 in the first annual Smudge Pot Bowl between cross district rivals. The winning Saints will take home the Smudge Pot chrome trophy and maintain bragging rights for the next year.
The most exciting performer of the game was Saint tailback Wayne Moses who returned a punt in the second quarter 63 yards for a touchdown. At the start of the second half, Moses ignited the crowd again by scoring another touchdown from the 28 yard line putting San Dimas ahead 14-0.
For the first 3 quarters, it was a relatively close contest until the Saints broke open the game with three third quarter touchdowns, two on block punts. Punting on fourth down from his 42 yard line, Bearcat Harold Drake watched the long snap sail over his head. When he picked up the ball to kick it, San Dimas’ Tony Perez blocked it. The Saints’ Randy Spahr grabbed the ball on the 23 yard line and ran for the touchdown. Bad luck continued for the Bearcats on their next possession when fourth down arose again. Drake tried to kick another punt but his own setback backed into the kick. The Saint’s Bob Rollins picked up the loose ball and ran for the touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Saint’s Dave Johnson intercepted Bearcat quarterback Bruce McNaught’s pass and ran it to the Bonita 25 yard line. McNaught had a tough game completing only 2 of 15 passing attempts both to Marty Schrodter for 28 yards. The Bearcats offense only completed 3 first downs during the game. It appears some of McNaught’s bad luck might have been the result of good scouting by the Saints. Saint’s quarterback Steve Barnard shared in a recent interview that “Coach Biaz had noticed from scouting Bonita that whatever way Bruce McNaught turned on his first step from center on his drop back, was the side of the field he was going to throw. That read made for an easy night for our defense defending the pass; especially when we shut down their running game and got ahead.”
Barnard completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to John Kerfoot but the play was called back due to a penalty. On the next play, Barnard connected on another pass to Bob Rollins for the touchdown. There was some confusion in the historical record as the local paper gave credit to Kerfoot for the touchdown. Rollins shared, “The score keeper / announcer called the wrong player for the touchdown, Coach Biaz was suppose to correct the mistake but it was picked up (by the Progress Bulletin).”
Barnard added to the story, “I remember the touchdown throw. It was into the right corner of the eastern end zone. It was almost certain to have gone to Rollins on a corner route to the back flag. He or Jeff Nelson would have been our target near the goal line”. Reflecting on the pass, Barnard said, “It’s a pretty clear memory of the throw because we only threw two passes that game and one was flagged off on a penalty so we were officially one for one passing. Normally we would have thrown more but we were completely in control of the game on the ground from the beginning. The field was very wet and slippery; there had been a lot of rain the previous week. It misted rain during the game which contributed to poor passing conditions. “
Barnard, Steve. “Fifty Years.” Email received by John McGarvey, August 8th, 2022.
Kerfoot, John. 1972 Touchdown. Facebook, August, 23, 2022, 2:42 pm.
Rollins, Bob. “Touchdowns.” Email received John McGarvey, August 4th, 2022.
“San Dimas Takes ‘Smudge-Pot’ Bowl.” La Verne Leader, November 23, 1972.
Webster, Curt. “Saints Blast Bearcats, 33-0.” Progress Bulletin, November 18, 1972.
Varsity Bearcats
Row 1: Frank Castro, Dennis Battles, Andy Castro, Henry Schleuning, Scot Plank, Jim Fehrs, Davis Cazares, Jerry Briseno, John Russo, Gerald Skorupski, Steve Battles, Richard Jimenez, Richard Ortega, Steve Rodriguez,
Row 2: Tom Mederios, Jerry Gode, Andy Price, Ka Wolff, Bart Flora, Randy Castillo, Albert Acosta, Manual Rodriguez, Victor Blatch, Dave Griffith, John Bowlby. Harold Drake, Don Rees, Carl Davis, Marty Schroedter, Larry Namimatsu, Steve Hedwall. Bob Rees;
Row 3: Alan Ashby, Richard Russi, Scott Hansen, Charles Hedrick, Steve Hedwall, Dale Vaszil, Scott Taylor. Larry East, Terry Green, Richard Lober, Robert Richards, Mike Coleman, Mike Maloney, Buster Wilson, Ken Stelter, Chuck Pollick, Brad Frick, Bruce McNaught. NOT PICTURED: Roy Cardenas.
1972 Principal’s Message
Bonita High School is a school with a great deal of tradition. The school was originally started in a vacant La Verne store building in 1903. On my desk is a trophy which states “Bonita High School Tri-County League Foot- ball Champion, 1925.” Athletics has meant a great deal to the history of Bonita. The communities of La Verne and San Dimas have given an unusual amount of support, win or lose, over the past fifty years. Football games in particular have produced what the press has often referred to as the typical Bonita fan. He comes at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon to an 8:00 p.m. game with blankets, chicken, and a great deal of enthusiasm. The typical Bonita fan has now become the typical Bonita -San Dimas fan. The communities of San Dimas and La Verne each have a high school of their own with which to identify. I am sure the rivalry will be keen. I am also sure that the sportsmanlike tradition which has always been true of the citizens of both communities will continue to exist. Enthusiasm and competition with responsibility are fine things to promote in any high school and in any community. I am sure this new rivalry will be a fine experience for everyone involved.
Sincerely,
Louis E. Rosen,
Principal Bonita High School
Bearcat Capitan Don Rees leads team in calisthenics
Bonita–Pete Lopez takes over for Larry Zeno on a team that was 6-2-1 and a runner up to Upland in the San Antonio League last season,
The Bearcats’ strength will be again at running back, with speedy Don Rees and powerful Victor Blatch being the starters.
However, offensive and defensive lines need rebuilding.
Bonita was forced to drop down in classification because of the CIF’s leaguing campaign, one might expect that the Bearcats would benefit from the switches. After all, Bonita had barley missed making the CIF Playoffs a year ago as strong representative of the San Antonio (AAA) league.
Coach Pete Lopez does not see his switch to the Hacienda league as an easy route to the CIF Playoffs. In fact, Lopez –starting his first season as Bonita’s varsity football coach — expects the competition to be as rugged in the Hacienda League, as it is would be in any other circuit.
“Things should stay pretty much the same,” says Lopez. “The AA teams are all pretty well coached and a good team, no matter what class they are, can beat anyone”.
The Bearcats will sport an explosive attack, led by fleet halfback Don Rees, who score four touchdowns last season, and powerful Victor Blatch (205lbs) an ALL-CIF candidate.
Quarterback Bruce McNaught is rated as a fine passer by Lopez and the defensive backfield is expected to be one of Bonita’s strong points.
However, the Bearcats must patch holes created by graduation on both the offensive and defensive lines fi they are to become contenders for the Hacienda crown.
La Verne Leader September 1972
San Dimas Takes “Smudge Pot” Bowl
Bonita’s hopes for the smudge pot trophy, signifying the first year San Dimas- Bonita rivalry, were shattered Friday night as San Dimas Saints walked off with a 33-0 win.
All year, Bonita had presented its mysterious Turkish battle cry; “Azizleri Hakla!”, to crowds of bewildered fans. As the meaning was announced at half time, there were still hopes that the Bearcats might “Beat the Saints”.
During the course of the football season Bonita had been using a Turkish battle cry, “Azizleri Hakla!” . It wasn’t until halftime of the first Smudge Pot game with San Dimas that its meaning was announced; “Beat the Saints!”
Bonita school spirit not enough to defeat the Saints
The first quarter was played the way rivalry had been expected to go. Neither team got anything going, as two hard hitting defenses held scoring to zero. It took a second quarter put to bring the large Bonita High stadium crowd to life. The Bearcats had to give the ball up on their own 36, and punted to San Dimas running back Wayne Moses on his 37. Moses crossed the goal line 63 yards later with the game’s first score.After half time, Moses again ignited the crowd, taking the ball in for TD from the 28 yard line, sending San Dimas ahead 14-0 with Dave Maloof’s point after.
Things went from bad to worse for the Bearcats when punter Harold Drake had a snap sail over his head. Scooping up the ball his attempt at a kick was blocked by Tony Perez and recovered by Randy Spahr, who returned it 23-yards to pay dirt. Down three scores, Bonita was forced into another punting situation. This time Drake’s punt hit his up-back, San Dimas’s Bob Rollins picked up the ball and went in for the game’s fourth touchdown. In the fourth quarter, after Dave Johnson intercepted a Bearcat pass by Bruce McNaught, San Dimas quarterback Steve Barnard hit John Kerfoot from 14-yards for another score.
Throughout the evening the Bonita offense operated sporadically, Quarterback McNaught could complete only two of 15 passing attempts, both to Marty Schroedter, for 28 yards. The Bearcats could earn but three first downs.The Saints close out the season with five wins against four losses, and 3-4 in league play. Bonita, meanwhile completed it worst season in a long time, managing only two wins against seven loses. The Bearcats have a year to think about that Smudge pot.
La Verne Leader, November, 1972
The Bonita Bearcats moved from last year’s 3-A classification to a new, 2-A league. We also had a new head coach, Mr. Pete Lopez. The Green Machine, with junior quarterback Bruce McNaught, opened with a pre- league game against our oldest rivals, the Claremont Wolfpack. Hacienda League play began with victory over Gladstone High. The Bearcats ended a rather disheartening season with a loss to new league rivals, the San Dimas Saints. AZIZLERI HAKLA!!
Head Coach: Pete Lopez
Assistant Coach: Walt Altobelli
Athletic Director: Remi Tremblay
Trainer: Ernie Harvath
Varsity Cheerleaders
Top Row: Lori Drury, Debbie Edelbrock
Middle Row: Jeri Wealand
Bottom Row: Susie Townsend, Jeri Martinez, Debbie Blackwell
Varsity Song
Tow Row: Stella Montez, Jenny Covington, Sheri Hanawalt
Middle Row: Julie Mishler
Bottom Row: Julie Beer, Janet Wilkinson
Mascot
Denese Anderson
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Varsity Saints
Row 1: Paul Tucker-Mgr. Vic Lopez, Fred Strong, Ray Martinez, Dean Wyatt, Wayne Moses, Perez Shoemaker, Terry Smith, John Hafner, Dave Maloof, Jerry Levreau, Coach Don Warhurst.
Row 2: Mark Lopez-Manager, Chris Johnson, John Kerfoot, Greg Newborn, ‘Steve Barnard Marc Benavides Chris Osterman, Brian Degler, Tony Perez, Bob Diaz, Tom Barthle, Randy Spahr, Coach Jim Bees.
STANDING: Coach Bob Biaz, Al Raymondi, Rick Surdick, Dave Johnson, Bob Rollins, Jeff Nelson, Richard Espinoza, Bruce Bosley, Richard Burke, Paul Willman, Jack Dipple-Manager.
1972 Principal’s Message
My initial reaction to an invitation from the Bonita Boosters’ Club to write a few paragraphs to be included in this program was to extol the virtues of the first Bonita-San Dimas football game and to mark this as the beginning of a long and friendly rivalry. Some retrospection, however, has led me to think more in terms of competition and how it may affect our total lives, I would like to consider some of the things that athletics have meant to me, and, hopefully, to you as we finish another football season. Through athletics we have learned the value of hard work, dedication, concentration, honesty, and, most importantly, how to accept defeat. Adult persons who find necessary various means of escape in their lives are often those who have not learned to accept defeat. It takes courage to continue to strive and to bounce back after a loss. Remember, “winners never quit . . . quitters never win.” Remember, too, that what YOU do, what YOU are to become is largely dependent upon what YOU expect of YOURSELF!! As we begin a great San Dimas-Bonita football tradition, let us consider the long-range benefits from such a contest!
Edward J. Weber, Ph.D.,
Principal, San Dimas High School
(Provided by La Verne Leader, September 1972)
San Dimas — Potentially dangerous Saints move into the Hacienda League from the Arrowhead League, where they were runners up and narrow losers to Class A champ Notre Dame.
Exciting Wayne Moses,who gained over 1,000 yards and scored nine touchdowns, returns with quarterback Steve Barnard and sure-handed receiver Greg Newborn. Jeff Nelson, the school’s best athlete, split at flanker and defensive back, where he won All-Pomona Valley acclaim.
Randy Spahn (DE), 6-1, 225 Bob Rollins (TE) and Dave Johnson(OT) are the Saints’ outstanding line returnees.
Things look bright at the San Dimas Camp. The saints, which jumped to the Hacienda League from the Class A Arrowhead League, have all of last year’s starters returning — including Wayne Moses. Moses gained 1,070 yards and scored nine touchdowns for San Dimas last season.
Also aiding the potent San Dimas attack will be three sure handed receivers in Greg Newborn (who averaged 23.8 yards per catch last year), 6-7, 225 Bob Rollins and Jeff Nelson, who will double as an All-CIF candidate at linebacker.
Throwing to the above trio will be Steve Bernard, who completed 50 percent of his passes last year. The Saints will also be solid up front with the return of linemen such as Rich Espinoza, Rick Surdich, Randy Spahn and Dave Johnson.
Despite the return of 28 letterman, San Dimas coach Bob Biaz is still a bit skeptical about the upcoming campaign. “We have good starters with experience, but our school is small and the new league will be somewhat of a problem. I just hope we can hang in”.
A Tale of Two Cities
by CURT WEBSTER P.B Staff Writer
On paper, you might think it’s a meaningless game. There is no league championship at stake, no playoff spot up for grabs, not even the chance of finishing with a winning record. While all this may be true, Friday night’s confrontation between San Dimas and Bonita High Schools is regarded by players, students, and casual fans of the two teams as the biggest of the year.
The game will be the first ever between the two inter-district rivals, and that fact alone makes it an historic contest. Bonita High served both cities of La Verne and San Dimas until four years ago, when the Bonita School District opened San Dimas High, San Dimas will graduate its first class this year, and has also fielded its first 2-A football squad.
The drain on student body also dropped Bonita to 2-A, and the two schools wound up in the same league. Sharing the Hacienda League sets up a natural rivalry that will most likely rage years hence.
At practice this week, players from both teams have expressed their feelings on being the first ones to play in this rivalry.
“I’ve worked the whole season to play in this game,” says Bonita’s Marty Schroedter. “It’s the start of a big rivalry. San Dimas’ Wayne Moses sees things the same way as Schroedter. “It’s exciting. It’ the start of a tradition. I know it’s going to be a big rivalry.
Bruce McNaught, Bonita quarterback, is keyed up, but confident. “There’s a lot of pressure, but I think we can beat them if we put it all together.”
M’Naught’s opposite number at San Dimas, Steve Barnard, finds it ironic to be playing against the Bearcats. “When I was little, everybody said ‘you’re going to play for Bonita some day.’ It’s ironic to be playing against, rather than for them. Hank Schleuning, defensive co-captain for Bonita, would have liked to see more importance league-wise. “It’s a shame we aren’t both undefeated, but it ought to be exciting. We’re going to beat them, it’s as simple as that.” Jeff Nelson, defensive lineman for the Saints, figures the result of the game will live with the players for a long time, “It’s something we’re going to live with for the rest of our lives, win or lose.”
For Bonita defense man Al Acosta, the game is what enticed him out for football in the first place. “It’s one of the main reasons I came out for football.”
To add to the inter-city rivalry, a special trophy, a smudge pot of all things, will be presented by the city governments to the winning team.
San Dimas finished 3-4 in the Hacienda League, 5-4 overall.
1972 marked the beginning of the Smudge Pot tradition. The Saints opened their first senior class with a victory over Damien. Led by Wayne Moses who gained over 1000 yards and a stubborn defense, the Saints won 5 and lost 4 in their first year of play in the tough Hacienda league. The final touch to a winning season was a victory over Bonita. The Saints were really up for the Bearcats and responded with a 33-0 victory.
Assistant Coach, Jim George, Head Coach Bob Baiz, and Assistant Coach Don Warhust
Smudge Pot Quotes
"The Bearcats will sport an explosive attack, led by fleet half-back Don Rees, who scored four touchdowns last season, and powerful Victor Blatch, an All-CIF candidate."
Pete Lopez | Bonita Head Coach, 1972
