BONITA: 10 – SAN DIMAS: 7
Friday, November 2, 1979 at Mt. Sac
In the 8th annual Smudge Pot Bowl game between San Dimas and Bonita High School, the Bearcats defeated the Saints 10 to 7. The Bearcat offense was lead by quarterback Todd Marchese who scored on a three-yard run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
The Bearcats were the first on the scoreboard on a Trevor Jordan 20 yard field goal during the first quarter. The Saints quarterback Pat Shaver had a rough night throwing two interceptions. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a two-yard play.
Mike Riggs, was the captain of the 1979 team, and set up the winning play that led to the 10-7 win against San Dimas, thus bringing the smudge pot home to Bonita. The highlight play was a 77 yard run by the Saint’s Ron Brahs during their sole scoring drive.
Varsity Bearcats
Front Row: Coach Larrabee. Coach Rome Mark Jankowski Mike Mistone Rusty Gam Ble, Coach Lopez, Danny Fortier, Casey Davis, John Hertz, Coach Lane, Coach Buttress.
Second Row: Rick Wentzel, Kevin Porter, Tom Burke, Jon Milhon, Art Stenmo, Greg Mahlow, Gary Hart, David Dean, Tom Stan Fill, Ron Rodriquez. Jeff Chambers Manager Rich Adams.
Third Row: Tim Espinoza, David Castro, Jim Stirling, Jay Patterson, Eric Da-vis,. Greg Ledesma, Robby Lockett Troy Fleming, J. Rupel, Jeff Hackett, Chris Stenmo, Jeff Milhon, Tom Martinez.
Fourth Row: Mike Riggs, Matt Grode, Dan Stroot, Jim Hall, John Harchut, Cameron Hicks, Todd Marchese, Ron Wealand, Steve Howes, Dan Ruzicka, Tim Grim, Trevor Jordan, Steve Mineer
Bonita Bearcats Season Review
Echoes 1980 Yearbook
Starting off with a rough opening loss to Upland. The Bearcats showed much improvement throughout the season. It took the cats a while to overcome their mistakes. But they finally put it all together to beat San Dimas (10-7) to win the smudge pot. The smudge pot victory was one of the most enthusiastic games ever played. At the end of the season the Bearcats finished in a three way tie for third. But the Cats bad luck prevailed when they lost the coin flip to go to C.I.F. The Bearcats finished league play with a 2-3 record and the best defense in the Hacienda league. Led by the five Bearcats Coaches and co-captains Tom Martinez and Mike Riggs the Bearcats accomplished their goal of becoming united like a family. The team is losing a lot of talent but they have high hopes for next year.
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Varsity Saints
Front: Coach Kuibler, Coach Olson, Head Coach Warhurst, Coach Richards.
Row 2: Jerry Kaliher, David Johnson, Ken Morgan, Wynn Schnell, Randy Luna, Chris Lee, Lloyd Husar, Sal Misquez, Bob Thurman, John Verdun.
Row 3: Jim Ruffin, Fred Barton, Steve Baldwin, Joey Garcia, Mike Suchanek, Paul Veloz, Bill Leake, John Marino, Harry Segal, Steve Walther.
Row 4: Scott Moore, John Valencia, John Balla, Jim Walker, Steve Sapp, Derek McLean, Bob Cash, Russell Wright, Mark Glasgow. Back: Jerry Waterlander, Craig Vanden Bossche, Ron Brahs, Pat Shaver, Mike Escobedo, Rick Vanden Bossche, Gerald Russell, Chris Robinson, Stuart Graham, Chuck Allison.
Winning Isn’t Everything . . .
..it didn’t have to be, for the Saints were only 2-3 in league play; however it was enough to qualify them for a CIF spot. Their 3-6-1 overall record was slightly misleading because of their tough non-league schedule.
Playing Damien and Upland, two powerhouse teams, the Saints got off to a less than spectacular start. However, the massacres seemed to help the team more than hinder. “Damien and Upland helped us more than anything—they helped us play better against other teams,” one player said. Even though the team wasn’t down, unrest seemed to be setting in on the stands; but with a sparkling come-from-behind win against Workman, the fans were back to stay.
“The support after the Workman game was fantastic, we could really hear the cheers and it helps a lot, ” commented another team member. Following the Workman game the Saints started off in league play by upsetting Ontario in the rain. A growing rivalry with Royal Oak motivated the team to additional preparation. A hard week of practice seemingly had them ready, but after a close first half, Royal Oak ran away with the game 38-7.The following weeks saw Bonita snatch the Smudge pot back from us for the first time in four years, and then a humiliating defeat at the hands of Sierra Vista.
Heading into the last game of the season, San Dimas looked rather weary. With Bonita losing its last game it became possible for the Saints to make CIF, but only if they beat Gladstone. They first fell behind 21-0 but with a great show of character, picked themselves up and came back to win convincingly.
Immediately following the game, Coach Warhurst and the head coaches of Bonita and Gladstone each flipped a coin, the one differing from the other two being awarded a berth in CIF
CIF By A Toss
Without knowing until the last minute that we were in CIF, the school was not in the “buzzing with anticipation over the big game” mood the preceding week. The Saints reflected that feeling on the field in a very low keyed 35-0 loss to St. Anthony.The defeat curtailed any Cinderella fantasies the team might have had while also closing out the prep football careers of many talented seniors. Rick Vanden Bossche, who planned on playing in college, was the team MVP as well as the only member to gain 1st team All-League status. Ron Brahs was also outstanding. He averaged over six yards per carry and was named second team running back. Mike Escobedo, Derek McLean, and Chris Robinson were other seniors who reached one of the All-League levels. League honors also went to receiver Gerald Russell 2nd team, Marcus Glascow 2nd team, Bob Thurman and John Verdun, Honorable Mention, who are expected to lead next year’s team.
