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115 W Allen Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

Smudge Pot 1973

1973 Smudgepot Final

San Dimas: 13 – Bonita: 7

Game Summary November 9, 1973 at Bonita

“The build up to this game included La Verne residents building make shift tombstones and placing them in their front yards: ‘Here Lies San Dimas’ Local newspapers carried photos of moms cheerfully adding them to their gardens.” (La Verne Leader, November 15, 1973)

In what will go down as one of the most controversial games in the 50-year history of the heated rivalry, the San Dimas Saints narrowly defeated the Bonita Bearcats 13-7, in a contest marred by a bench-clearing brawl and a game-ending penalty. The tension had been escalating long before kickoff, fueled by San Dimas fans’ “33-0” chants, a reminder of the Saints’ crushing victory over Bonita the previous year. That tension ratcheted up a notch when district officials announced that the Bearcats would have to wear away jerseys at their own home stadium, which would be renamed the Bonita District Field for the game due to the unfinished state of San Dimas’ own stadium. Tommy Rojas, a Bonita player, remembers how upset the team was before the game, “The players were ‘pissed off’ to have to stand on the visitors side at our own stadium.” La Verne residents had even erected makeshift tombstones in their gardens that read “Here Lies San Dimas,” making their loyalties clear. But the Saints had the last laugh on the field.

Bonita was favored to win but both teams came into the game with 5-2 records in the Hacienda League, and after a scoreless first quarter, San Dimas was the first to strike. Quarterback Dave Maloof connected with split end John Brahs on a 31-yard touchdown pass, though the extra point attempt failed. The Bearcats responded in the third quarter, as their quarterback Bruce McNaught showcased impressive footwork to dash 48 yards for a touchdown. Harold Drake’s successful point-after kick gave Bonita a temporary lead. But two costly fumbles in the fourth quarter by the Bearcats gave the Saints the opportunities they needed.

San Dimas capitalized on the Bearcats’ mistakes, with Maloof ultimately sealing the game with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Saints running back, Jim Richards, had a strong game running over 100 yards. The Saints managed to retain the coveted “Smudge Pot,” but the dramatic finish was overshadowed by the game’s tumultuous final moments, which included a bench-clearing brawl and a deciding penalty. San Dimas Assistant Coach Don Warhurst, remembers the chaos at the end of the game. “A fight broke out between both teams, helmets were thrown and it took us a while to calm everyone down. I even remember one of our players walking off the field with a Bonita helmet on”. Both sides showed formidable defense, but it was San Dimas that emerged victorious, leaving those makeshift tombstones as premature declarations.

District officials threatened to cancel all future matches between the two teams which would have ended what would become one of the most storied rivalries in the San Gabriel Valley. Instead a compromise was made, all future games would be played at a neutral site during the day time. The Smudge Pot Bowl was played as an afternoon day game on Saturdays for the next four years at Mt San Antonio College and wouldn’t return to Bonita High school until 1982.

Season Prospects Post Smudge Pot Game

“With Royal Oak beating Gladstone 28-14, neither the Bearcats nor the Saints have a chance to take first place in the league. Going into the final week of CIF2-A action, the best the two local schools can hope to do is tie for the second place spot with 5-2 records. The Saints must beat Gladstone and the Bearcats the Sierra Vista Dons. Both games are Friday at 8 pm. Bonita is on the road playing at Baldwin Park High and San Dimas hosting at the Bearcat Bowl (previous name of Glenn Davis Stadium).”

Saints Huddle
The Saints Huddle before running their next play against Bonita

Bonita High Logo

Varsity Bearcats

Row 1. Steve Hines, Andy Castro, Mary Schroeder. Coach Paul Tremblay, Coach Tim Hartnett.

Row 2: Buster Wilson, Rick Russ, Ralph Chalifour.

Row 3: Ross Thompson, Mike Maloney, Alan Rojas, Brad Frick, Scott Johnson,

Row 4: Walter Walker, Tom Rojas.

Row 5: Manager Mike Hansen, Carl Davis, Stan Schechter, Lencho Nava, Harold Drake Bruce McNaught.

Row 6: Larry Namimatsu, Rick Carlton, Richard Ortega, Larry Franco. Line 7: Richard Lober, Steve loya, Richard Jimenez. Line 8: Coach Pete Lopez, Coach Dan Drake, Bart Flora, Dave Dury, Jerry Briseno, Jim Fehrs

Varsity football takes second in league

The fearless Bearcat team began their season by surprising Claremont 14-0 and by giving 100 percent, terrified CF Champs, Temple City only to lose by Touchdown in preseason action. Bonita then blew the field wide open by beating Alta Loma, a favored Hacienda league contender, 20-14. The team slipped past Ontario for a close 15-14 victory. The Bearcats went on to beat Gladstone by a score of 19-8.

The Varsity team got psyched up for the homecoming game, and cracked Walnut 28-20, to become 4-0 in league action. The Royal Oak-Bonita game was plagued with errors, with the Romans coming out on top, 20-16. The Varsity lost to cross town rival San Dimas, but the Bearcats bounced back, beat Sierra Vista, earning a 5-2 record and second place in league.

Under the direction of head coach Pete Lopez and assistants Hartnett Drake. and Tremblay, the team improved in many ways, and once again provided Bonita fans with an exciting winning season.

  • Harold Drake took the MVP award,
  • Brad Frick earned Offensive Player. of-the- Year honors by rushing: 1,125 yards
  • Steve Rodriguez received the Defensive Player -of-the-Year award.
  • Other players were also given awards:
    • Larry Namimatsu, Leadership; 
    • Buster Wilson,Inspirational; 
    • Carl Davis, General Excellence, Offense; 
    • Bruce McNaught, General Excellence, Defense; 
    • Bob Rees, Athletic Scholarship; 
    • Rick Russi and Bob Rees, Booster Awards.
Bonita Score Opponent Score
Bonita 14 Claremont 0
Bonita 20 Temple City 27
Bonita 20 Alta Loma 15
Bonita 15 Ontario 14
Bonita 19 Gladstone 8
Bonita 28 Walnut 20
Bonita 16 Royal Oak 20
Bonita 7 San Dimas 13
Bonita W* Sierra Vista L*

* Score Unknown

Varsity Saints

10 Jim Johnson Qb, 11 Dave Maloof Qb, 15 Kevin Pokrajac Qb, 22 Jim Richards Sb, 23 Richard Burke Te, 24 Perez Shoemaker Tb, 27 Jerry Levreau Tb, 30 Paul Willman Fb, 31 Norm Butler Fb, 33 Tim Shepherd Tb, 46 John Hafner Sb, 47 Tim Brown Fb, 48 Neil Bow Les Te, 50 Ray Roberts G, 53 Brian Degler G, 55 Doug Shimansky G, 57 Dave Hamic 9, 58 Angel Amaro C, 60 Tony Perez C, 63 Chris Osterman C, 64 Ralph Amaro G, 98 Máke Bamard :, 73 Rich Cass T, 75 Dave Meaux T, 76 Bruce Bosley T, 78 Bob Viet T, 61 Marc Benavides G, 80 Lloyd Newborn E, 81 Darryl Gardner E, 83 Shelly White Sb, 84 Dale Bowles E, 85 Kent Williams E, 86 Bob Childress E, 87 Tom Barthle E, 88 Dan Hitchens E, 90 John Brahs E

The 1973 Saints were led by the team captains Richard Espinoza and Tony Perez. The season opened with a narrow 10-7 win over rival Damien. Victories over tough Nogales and league foes Alta Loma, Walnut, sierra vista and cross town rival Bonita gave the Saints a well deserved 6-3 record. The Saints gave their fans many moments to remember with the running of Jim Richards, Perez Shoemaker, and Jerry Levreau. Making opponents long remember them with their hard hitting defense were Richard Espinoza (MVP on defense) , Tim Brown, Bruce Bosley, Norm Butler, and Tony Perez.

1974 El Santo Yearbook

  • Richard Espinoza, the Saints hulking defensive tackle received the Hacienda League’s most valuable player on defense award and was honored  by the San Dimas High Booster’s as defense lineman of the year.
  • Perez Shoemaker received the award for best defensive back.
  • Jimmy Richards, the elusive Saint’s tailback was named most valuable player.
Scores
San Dimas10Damien7
San Dimas20Nogales0
San Dimas6Royal Oak42
San Dimas30Sierra Vista16
San Dimas7Alta Loma6
San Dimas20Ontario26
San Dimas19Walnut14
San Dimas13Bonita12
San Dimas6Gladstone12
1973 Saints Coaching Staff

Smudge Pot Quotes

"Offensive Player of the year Bonita High School 1973"

Brad Frick | Player

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