San Dimas: 19- Bonita: 0
Friday, November 13, 1993
On a wet and rainy night, the San Dimas Saints shut out Bonita 19-0 in the 22nd annual Smudge Pot Game. In a difficult year for both schools, the victory pulled the Saints into a tie for last place with Bonita in the Valle Vista League. San Dimas Coach Dean Bennet was happy with his team’s only win of the year, “A rivalry game like this one makes the whole season. This win was for our seniors — they deserved it.”
The Saints offense was dominated by their running game. Kevin Pedrola carried the ball 22 times for 136 yards and a touchdown while teammate Wess Carson, playing in his final varsity game, rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries. The Saints out-gained the Bearcats 232 to 105 yards to earn their fifth straight Smudge Pot.
The weather didn’t help the quality of the play. In the first quarter while on their 7 yard line, the Bearcats fumbled the wet, slippery ball and booted it around until it was finally recovered in the end zone by Mark Stevenson for a quick 7-0 San Dimas lead. The Bearcats thought they had tied the game in the second on an apparent 64 yard touchdown pass that was negated by an illegal block.
Saints’ quarterback Chris Cervantes drove the Saints 77 yards in seven plays, getting all of the yardage on the ground. Pedrola after rushes of 12 and 43 yards, scored the touchdown from the 4 yard line to give the Saints 13-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, Bonita finally got a drive going when Quarterback Mark Rivera connected with Robert Rico for a 15 yard pass and then Jared Hertz for 12 more yards. The Saints sacked Rivera pushing the ball back to the 29 yard line. Two unsuccessful passes into the end zone stalled the drive.
During the 3rd quarter, Bonita could not capitalize when N’Namdi Hamilton recovered a San Dimas fumble on the Saints 26. The rest of the second half was dominated by the Saints running game.
Varsity Bearcats
Top Row: David Fleischmann, Bill Bonner, Steve Schendell, Joey Diebold, Kay Sakaue, Bement Assefa, Tim Linder, Jelani Polk, Jared Hertz, Mike Luna,
Row 2: Tsegab Assefa, Carl Cole, Thomas Hwang, Brent Roberson, Kory Bussey, Landon Fitchner, David Kurtz, Jaime Fletcher, Brian Paulson, Robbie Guyon,
Row 3: Jacob Luera, Steve Nielson, David Carillo, Jason Orosco, Nick Fuller, Brian Walper, Brian El-Mahmoud, Vincent Lewis, Jeremy Malbrough, Gabe Estrada,
Row 4: Mitchell Adams, Bill Bonner, John Rode, George King, Larry Hatley, Terri Hall, Dan Harden, Earl Linder, Chris Chester, Chris Parkson, Jeff Baumunk, Peter Bahruth,
Row 5: Craig Turner, Dominic Bonanno, Randy McCook, Jason Bethel, Steve Snitzer, N‘namdi Hamilton, Rick Esparza, Greg Castillo, Devon Harden,
Bottom Row: Mike Scranton, Mark Rivera, Eric Barbosa, Xavier Ries, Dan Alvarado, Kent Fung, David Rodrigues, Albert Escalante.
Varsity has had an unforgettable year. Losing to Sierra Vista and Azusa, Varsity was sure to continue its 20+ losing streak. Exultantly, this record was broken this year. Landing first a solid victory over Ontario Christian and then a narrow, but none-the-less outstanding, victory over Northview High School, Bonita proved that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The first League game was played at Covina this year. Workman and San Dimas were also away games. There were only two League games played at home this year. These were played against South Hills and Northview. Among the most memorable games were the Homecoming and the Northview games. Not only was the Homecoming game well-played, the Homecoming Court sparkled with a royal elegance for the occasion. Corvettes were used once again in the pre-game show.
The band complemented this game by dressing in full marching uniforms for the first time in two years. Fans were proud to be on Bonita’s side. The Northview game was just as memorable. Two injuries and a narrow victory landmarked this game. With only seconds left in the game, Bonita successfully blocked a doomed kick and kept the opposing team from scoring the extra point. The score was 7-6. A more solid victory was established during the Ontario Christian game. Winning the game with a 21-13 lead, Varsity lifted their heads high on their trek back home. The National Anthem was sung by a student at Ontario Christian. The Star-Spangled Banner was painfully heard throughout the audience, all of which turned around wondering who had run over a defenseless animal. Ear plugs would have been a great hand-out at the ticket gates.
Echoes, 1994.
| Bearcats | Opponent | Score |
| 0 | Sierra Vista | 28 |
| 0 | Azusa | 35 |
| 21 | Ontario Christian | 13 |
| 6 | Claremont | 21 |
| 0 | Charter Oak | 35 |
| 0 | Covina | 44 |
| 16 | Workman* | 7 |
| 7 | South Hills | 14 |
| 7 | Northview | 16 |
| 0 | San Dimas | 19 |
| Season | 2 – 8 |
* There is some dispute in the records on this score.
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Varsity Saints
Front Row: Chris Brod, Tony Perez, Wess Carson, Miké Choy.
Row 2: Matt Alley, Marquis Dawson, Richard Lewis, John McCollum, Albert Vargas, Jason Strickland, John Sausedo, Kevin Pedrola.
Row 3: Coach Tim Pick, Coach Jim Coombs, Coach Dean Bennett, Joe Nieto, Tony Castruita, Jason Zeplin, Coach Don Andrade, Coach Jeff Carr, Trainer Nina Nigrovic, Manager Doug Snawder.
Row 4: Brian Erlendson, Jean-Paul Bouchereau, Jeff Wyatt, Lawrence Morris, Brad Stull, Shaun Murphy, Craig Sawyer, Ted Kao.
Row 5: Tony Mason, Justin Torricelli, Jason Johnson, Joe Wright, Sean Giangregorio, Roger Chapa, Dennis Hernandez, Jeff Behrens.
Back: Mark Stevenson, David Cervantes, Chuck Carreon, Mike Plount, Chris Cervantes, Joo Kim, Steve Musharbash, Samuel Taylor.
“I feel we did really good against Bonita. I feel we rose to the occasion, despite the overwhelming challenge, and came out with a victorious win,” said linebacker and tight end junior David Cervantes. Despite their otherwise winless season the team came out on top to beat Bonita 19-0. The Saints won their 16th game in 22 years against the Bonita Bearcats, to keep the Smudge Pot for the fifth year in a row.
With 18 sophomores joining seven juniors and 14 seniors the varsity team was considered young. “It’s more exciting than frosh or J.V. I think the competition is greater on varsity and I like it,” said first year varsity quarterback sophomore Chris Cervantes. “I miss playing with my friends who are still on J.V. I thought varsity was going to be hard to play, but it wasn’t, ” said tight end sophomore Tony Mason.
Many injuries hampered the varsity team “I was very distressed because I didn’t get to play the Bonita game because of a concussion but I’m very happy for my seniors because they didn’t lose the Smudge Pot in all my four years,” said running back senior Brad Stull. “I played the first five games but I got injured and missed the rest of the season. I missed the Bonita game because of a broken finger but the team had a glorious victory,” said inside linebacker and wing back junior Tony Perez.
It was a tough season emotionally and physically for the team. “The season was a bit of a disappointment, but it paid off because we beat Bonita. Everyone seemed really in tune to the game,” said senior Sean Giangregorio.
By Stephanie Hillhouse, El Santo, 1994.
| Saints | Opponent | Score |
| 10 | La Sierra | 42 |
| 0 | Arroyo | 42 |
| 10 | Charter Oak | 21 |
| 6 | Sonora | 34 |
| 0 | Gladstone | 19 |
| 7 | Workman | 14 |
| 8 | Northview | 36 |
| 8 | Covina | 38 |
| 13 | South Hills | 41 |
| 19 | Bonita | 0 |
| Season | 1 – 9 |
Saints 1993 Varsity Season Record
Smudge Pot Quotes
"“I played the first five games but I got injured and missed the rest of the season. I missed the Bonita game because of a broken finger but the team had a glorious victory,” Tony Perez, inside linebacker and wing back junior (1993)"
Tony Perez | San Dimas Inside Linebacker and Wing Back Junior, 1993
During the 3rd quarter, Bonita could not capitalize when N’Namdi Hamilton recovered a San Dimas fumble on the Saints 26. The rest of the second half was dominated by the Saints running game.
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Varsity Bearcats
Top Row: David Fleischmann, Bill Bonner, Steve Schendell, Joey Diebold, Kay Sakaue, Bement Assefa, Tim Linder, Jelani Polk, Jared Hertz, Mike Luna,
Row 2: Tsegab Assefa, Carl Cole, Thomas Hwang, Brent Roberson, Kory Bussey, Landon Fitchner, David Kurtz, Jaime Fletcher, Brian Paulson, Robbie Guyon,
Row 3: Jacob Luera, Steve Nielson, David Carillo, Jason Orosco, Nick Fuller, Brian Walper, Brian El-Mahmoud, Vincent Lewis, Jeremy Malbrough, Gabe Estrada,
Row 4: Mitchell Adams, Bill Bonner, John Rode, George King, Larry Hatley, Terri Hall, Dan Harden, Earl Linder, Chris Chester, Chris Parkson, Jeff Baumunk, Peter Bahruth,
Row 5: Craig Turner, Dominic Bonanno, Randy McCook, Jason Bethel, Steve Snitzer, N‘namdi Hamilton, Rick Esparza, Greg Castillo, Devon Harden,
Bottom Row: Mike Scranton, Mark Rivera, Eric Barbosa, Xavier Ries, Dan Alvarado, Kent Fung, David Rodrigues, Albert Escalante.
Varsity has had an unforgettable year. Losing to Sierra Vista and Azusa, Varsity was sure to continue its 20+ losing streak. Exultantly, this record was broken this year. Landing first a solid victory over Ontario Christian and then a narrow, but none-the-less outstanding, victory over Northview High School, Bonita proved that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The first League game was played at Covina this year. Workman and San Dimas were also away games. There were only two League games played at home this year. These were played against South Hills and Northview. Among the most memorable games were the Homecoming and the Northview games. Not only was the Homecoming game well-played, the Homecoming Court sparkled with a royal elegance for the occasion. Corvettes were used once again in the pre-game show.
The band complemented this game by dressing in full marching uniforms for the first time in two years. Fans were proud to be on Bonita’s side. The Northview game was just as memorable. Two injuries and a narrow victory landmarked this game. With only seconds left in the game, Bonita successfully blocked a doomed kick and kept the opposing team from scoring the extra point. The score was 7-6. A more solid victory was established during the Ontario Christian game. Winning the game with a 21-13 lead, Varsity lifted their heads high on their trek back home. The National Anthem was sung by a student at Ontario Christian. The Star-Spangled Banner was painfully heard throughout the audience, all of which turned around wondering who had run over a defenseless animal. Ear plugs would have been a great hand-out at the ticket gates.
Echoes, 1994.
| Bearcats | Opponent | Score |
| 0 | Sierra Vista | 28 |
| 0 | Azusa | 35 |
| 21 | Ontario Christian | 13 |
| 6 | Claremont | 21 |
| 0 | Charter Oak | 35 |
| 0 | Covina | 44 |
| 16 | Workman* | 7 |
| 7 | South Hills | 14 |
| 7 | Northview | 16 |
| 0 | San Dimas | 19 |
| Season | 2 – 8 |
* There is some dispute in the records on this score.
![]()
Varsity Saints
Front Row: Chris Brod, Tony Perez, Wess Carson, Miké Choy.
Row 2: Matt Alley, Marquis Dawson, Richard Lewis, John McCollum, Albert Vargas, Jason Strickland, John Sausedo, Kevin Pedrola.
Row 3: Coach Tim Pick, Coach Jim Coombs, Coach Dean Bennett, Joe Nieto, Tony Castruita, Jason Zeplin, Coach Don Andrade, Coach Jeff Carr, Trainer Nina Nigrovic, Manager Doug Snawder.
Row 4: Brian Erlendson, Jean-Paul Bouchereau, Jeff Wyatt, Lawrence Morris, Brad Stull, Shaun Murphy, Craig Sawyer, Ted Kao.
Row 5: Tony Mason, Justin Torricelli, Jason Johnson, Joe Wright, Sean Giangregorio, Roger Chapa, Dennis Hernandez, Jeff Behrens.
Back: Mark Stevenson, David Cervantes, Chuck Carreon, Mike Plount, Chris Cervantes, Joo Kim, Steve Musharbash, Samuel Taylor.
“I feel we did really good against Bonita. I feel we rose to the occasion, despite the overwhelming challenge, and came out with a victorious win,” said linebacker and tight end junior David Cervantes. Despite their otherwise winless season the team came out on top to beat Bonita 19-0. The Saints won their 16th game in 22 years against the Bonita Bearcats, to keep the Smudge Pot for the fifth year in a row.
With 18 sophomores joining seven juniors and 14 seniors the varsity team was considered young. “It’s more exciting than frosh or J.V. I think the competition is greater on varsity and I like it,” said first year varsity quarterback sophomore Chris Cervantes. “I miss playing with my friends who are still on J.V. I thought varsity was going to be hard to play, but it wasn’t, ” said tight end sophomore Tony Mason.
Many injuries hampered the varsity team “I was very distressed because I didn’t get to play the Bonita game because of a concussion but I’m very happy for my seniors because they didn’t lose the Smudge Pot in all my four years,” said running back senior Brad Stull. “I played the first five games but I got injured and missed the rest of the season. I missed the Bonita game because of a broken finger but the team had a glorious victory,” said inside linebacker and wing back junior Tony Perez.
It was a tough season emotionally and physically for the team. “The season was a bit of a disappointment, but it paid off because we beat Bonita. Everyone seemed really in tune to the game,” said senior Sean Giangregorio.
By Stephanie Hillhouse, El Santo, 1994.
| Saints | Opponent | Score |
| 10 | La Sierra | 42 |
| 0 | Arroyo | 42 |
| 10 | Charter Oak | 21 |
| 6 | Sonora | 34 |
| 0 | Gladstone | 19 |
| 7 | Workman | 14 |
| 8 | Northview | 36 |
| 8 | Covina | 38 |
| 13 | South Hills | 41 |
| 19 | Bonita | 0 |
| Season | 1 – 9 |
Saints 1993 Varsity Season Record
Smudge Pot Quotes
"“I feel we did really good against Bonita. I feel we rose to the occasion, despite the overwhelming challenge, and came out with a victorious win,” David Cervantes, line backer and tight end junior (1993)"
David Cervantes | San Dimas Line Backer and Tight End Junior, 1993
