BONITA: 14 – SAN DIMAS: 7
October 4, 1975 at Mt. Sac (1:00 PM Game)
Bearcats Win Their First Smudge Pot Game
Bonita wins their first Smudge Pot Bowl game against the Saints on Saturday afternoon October 4th, 1975. In an error filled game filled with fouled-up handoffs and misdirected pitchouts, the Saints turned over the ball 8 times. With only one returning starter on the offensive line and completely new backfield, Bonita opened league play against arch-rival San Dimas. Bonita upset the highly regarded Saints 14-7 and brought the Smudge pot to La Verne for the first time
San Dimas Quarterback Steve Loumagne was intercepted twice while Bonita’s Sanford Coggins had one interception. “We’re still having a lot of trouble on the snap from center to quarterback”, said Bonita coach Pete Lopez after the game. “And San Dimas is trying to get used to a new offense, so they’re having problems, too.” Bonita’s Jim Franks recovered a San Dimas fumble on the second play of the afternoon. Later Coggins would score on a one yard run after the Bearcats recovered Saint’s Jim Campbell’s fumbled punt return on the three yard line.
With 2:40 left in the first quarter, San Dimas would tie the game on a 1 yard quarterback keep by Lougmagne. Coggins would run in the winning touchdown four minutes into the third quarter, capping a 60 yard drive that took 11 downs. The Saint’s chance for a comeback failed when a trick play on a kick off return involving a handoff from Bob Pleasant to Perry Aris went 87 yards for an apparent touchdown but was called back because of an offside penalty.
Bonita cornerback, Bruce Hines, had a strong game with two interceptions and Bearcat defensive end Scott Sanborn recovered two San Dimas fumbles in the fourth quarter. San Dimas out gained Bonita 243 yards to 215. Saint’s running back, Fred Carter gained 100 yards on 19 rushes while Bearcats fullback, Bob Pleasant gained 73 yards on six play including a 50 yard breakaway. Jim Franks rounded out Bonita’s rushing game with 62 yards.
Brossart, Mike. “Bearcats Recover beat San Dimas.” Progress Bulletin, October 5th, 1975.
Teams |
Quarter 1 |
Quarter 2 |
Quarter 3 |
Quarter 4 |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonita | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| San Dimas | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Stats | Bonita: Coggins 1 yard run (Benoit Kick) | San Dimas: Loumagne 1 yard run (LaFargue Kick) | Bonita: Coggins 1 yard run (Benoit Kick) |
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Varsity Bearcats
FRONT ROW: Bruce Hines, Marty Sevilla, Jim Franks, Gary Marchese, Steve Hernandez, Mark Kresch, Tom Bruniers, Danny Thompson, Bobby Vidaure, Gilbert Castro, 2ND ROW: Student Trainer Mike Hansen, Scott Sanborn, Ralph Ortega, Mark Shamble Mark Walters, Steve Benoit, Neil Soto, Larry Larrabee, Mike Sly, Richard Doyle, Joe Martin, Manual Hernandez, Manager Javi Sanchez. BACK ROW: Dave Pearson, Mark Maloney, Tom Rojas, Phil Mertz,,Sanford Coggins, Dave Dury, Tommy St Clair, Scott Johnson, David Ramirez, Keith Brandt.
Bonita Football Coaches
Peter Lopez coached Bearcats from 1972-1979
Bearcat 1975 Hacienda League Champions (6 – 1 record)
The Bearcats finished the year tied with Walnut and Royal Oak for first place in the Hacienda League. Bonita opened CIF competition against Sonora at Home. It was a cold, foggy night and Bonita couldn’t stop the powerful Raiders, Sonora won 24-0 and went on to win the CIF Championship in 1975. Bonita finished with a 6-4 record. Bonita players who made all league were Scott Sanborn and Bruce Hines on defense and Phil Mertz and Mark Maloney on offense. Players who were placed on the second time all league were Scott Johnson and Mark Walters, both on defense. (quoted from 1976, Bonita Yearbook)
- Game 1: Bonita 14 – San Dimas 7
- Game 2: Bonita 9 – Sierra Vista 7
- Game 3: Bonita 6 – Alta Loma 0
- Game 4: Bonita 14 – Ontario 8
- Game 5: Bonita 31 – Gladstone 0
- Game 6: Bonita 9 – Walnut 13
- Game 7: Bonita 16 – Royal Oak 14
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Varsity Saints
Standing: Manager-Joe Gonzales, Steve Coulter, Sonny LaFargue, Jack Clark, Doug Harbin, Tony Bertagna, Donny Edwards, Bob Tatalovich, Dennis Moore, Dave Garrison, Sean O’Brien, Tony Carpenter, Mike Lee, Sam Clark, Don Millet, Joe Paredes, Sitting: Doug Spahr, D.D. Hollingquest, Steve Loumagne, Fred Carter, Jim Campbell, Andy Hegel, Donny Hargett, Robert Pleasant, Perry Aris, Jim Button, Steve Campbell, Charlie Bradstreet, Doug Gates, Rosy Johnson
Smudge Pot Quotes
"The Saints (0-2-1) fell on just two of the own eight fumbles while the Bearcats (1-2) retained five of their seven."
Mike Brossart | Progress Bulletin, 5 Oct 1975, Sun
