San Dimas: 20 – Bonita: 17
Friday, October 10, 2003
The San Dimas Saints defeated the Bonita Bearcats 20-17, ending the record setting streak of seven defeats against their Smudge Pot rival. In one of the most exciting endings in Smudge Pot history, Shawn Boaz kicked a 20 yard field with 12 second remaining on Friday night in the 30th annual inter district game. San Dimas, quarterback Chris Salinas (867 passing yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season) was 8 for 17 for 118 yards with 2 interceptions and one fumble. The leading rusher for San Dimas was Jonathan Houston who ran for 116 yards on 18 carries.
Saints’ running back Jack Sterkel (3 carries for 19 yards) scored first on a 9 yard run in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Shawn Boaz from the Saints and Pablo Garay from the Bearcats successfully scored on respective field goals, moving the score up three points for both sides. The half ended 10-3, with the Saints in the lead.
In the third quarter, Johnny Cortez showed his prowess as the Bearcat’s running back when he scored on a 3 yard run following a Saints’ costly fumble. He finished with five carries for 31 yards on the night. The Saints didn’t remain in a tie with the Bearcats for long when Malcolm Shirley scored on a 23 yard run, putting San Dimas in the lead 17-10. Shirley carried the ball five times for 44 yards.
During the final quarter, a San Dimas fumble proved costly for the team when the Bearcats were able to regain the ball on the two yard line. Cortez scored on the next play tying the game 17-17.
With twelve seconds left in the game, it seemed the game would end in a tie, but Saints kicker Shawn Boaz managed to successfully complete the field goal for the Saints’ victory.
Varsity Bearcats
Top: Chris Gonzalez, Brian Sandona, Jason Wells, Graham Keller, Michael Williams, Eric Setterland, Spencer Zagurski, Zae VcMinn, Tim Rodriguez, Blake LaRue, Matt Duke, Cameron Slagle, Jeff Akpom, Patrick Meraz.
Row 2: Steven Degler, Gabe Valadez, Brock Betkey, David Luce, Sean Jordan, Franco Guevara, John Reiff, Mike Bentz, Curtis Gold, Dossie Phillips, David Termeno, Alex Martinez, Ron Bone.
Row 3: Joey Verdugo, Josh Murphy, Ricardo Valadez, Gabe Maldonado, Louie Gonzalez, Manuel Franco, Ronnie Rodriguez, Frank Sahagun, Justin Galindo, Chris Eder, Corey Watanabe, Gabe Munoz, Danny Arellano, Eric Mendoza.
Row 4: Joey Guzman, Jimmy Lopez, Mike Bunce, Caitlin Tolan, Trainer Rita, Coach Vasquez, Coach McRitchie, Coach Donoho, Coach Podley, Coach Jay, Coach Medina, Coach Reck, Trainer Nicole, Anna Anderson, Trevor Underwood, Glenn Gibson, Ricardo Rojas.
Row 5: Maricris Gutierrez, Jill Loy, Amander Schweiner, Gabby Montano, Nuvia Lopez, Cody Borquez, Justin Tardiff, Mike MacDonald, Eric Campa, Pablo Garay, Matt Clough, Abel Calderon, Nicole Van Zuylen, Nicolle Ramirez, Melissa Caraballo, Brittany Johnson.
Bottom: Landon Thompson, Chris Borquez, Scott Quarto, Fito Padilla, Ryan Rothrock, Matt Windau, Jared Nelson, Nakai Fitzgerald, Chris Arce, Kyle Mendez, Johnny Cortez.
This year’s Varsity Football team demonstrated strong team camaraderie. The team was able to prevail over Garey at the Homecoming game and Keep the school spirit alive. The offense and defense did a great job this year. Both Zach McMinn and Michael Williams had a good year as quarterbacks. Our defense was able to shut out El Monte during one of the non-league games.
![]()
Varsity Saints
Front: Seth Norsell, Gean Bernar- dino, Steven Cable, Sam Chapple, Chris Flaig.
Row 2: Jason Chavez. Curtis Matson, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Ross, Malcolm Shirley, Darren Jollevet, Carlos Adams, Jonatnan Houston, Sean Douglas.
Row 3: Lavetta Fajardo, Lavonne Fajardo, Asst. Dan Murray, Asst. Bob Diaz, Asst. Deon Blakley, Asst. Nakia Jenkins, Head Coach Rowland DeAnda, Asst. Rocky San Angelo, Asst. Gary Sterkel, Asst. Dave Flores. Asst. Irwin Gersch, Trainer James Clark.
Row 4: Steven Rodriguez, Ryan Richards, Darryl Soliven Leo Torres, Matt Espina, Paul Herrera, Kris De La Feunte, Luis GomeZ, Emmett Samaniego.
Row 5: Jason Akinfolarin, Terry Nash, Eric Siel, Brian Parker, Nick Diaz, Ricky Duncan, Thomas Granger, John Bica, Justin Nichols.
Row 6: Kyle Cunningham, Chad Massey, Jason Keilty, Brian Richards, Carlos Monterrosa, Matt Beveridge, Eric Samples, Andrew Delgado, Sean O’Mohoney.
Row 7: Chris Salinas. Joe Adam Scafidi, Justin Boyer, Adam Grymonprez, Steve Howi, Blake Sterkel, Shawn Boaz, David Flaig, Tyler McInteer. Back: Joe Santiago, Darren Gealta, Adam Carmody, Phil Ramirez, Brian Metcalf. Ryan Buford, Robert Doll, Ben Knight, Matt Anderson. Not Shown: Johnny Pearson.
As a team, the Saints accomplished much more. They stood by one another through victory and defeat. With teammates by their side, each person had to toil over practices, scrimmages, bad game days, team disagreements. They learned to keep their heads up when seemingly all was lost. With teamwork, when one fell, there were others to help pick them back up. With the support, it gave each member the strength to regain composure and give it their all to attain the win. As an individual, each player contributed to the spirit, determination, passion, and their devotion allowed them all to come together and excel as one.
-Sally Lam, El Santo ’04
Smudge Pot Quotes
"It’s history, but it’s the beginning of our history. I came here to be here a long time. This is what it’s all about, winning games like this."
Bill Zernickow | San Dimas High School Coach
