BONITA: 33 – SAN DIMAS: 13
August 29, 2013 at Citrus College
The annual Smudge Pot trophy is going back to Bonita. The Bonita Bearcats scored 26 unanswered points to open the game and cruised to a 33-13 win over the San Dimas Saints in the annual “Smudge Pot Game” on Friday night in front of around 7,200 fans at Citrus College. The Bonita Bearcats were led by coach Adrian Medrano, and the San Dimas Saints by coach Bill Zernickow. The teams competed to either retain or take the Smudge Pot home. After losing 37-36 last season, the Bearcats snapped a two-game losing streak to close the gap in the series to 22-18-1. The rivalry began in 1972 with the winner getting a trophy that symbolizes the area’s local citrus industry.
Bonita quarterback Tanner Diebold threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, which was good enough for him to be named the Great American Rivalry Series Most Valuable Player. He threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns in last season’s loss to San Dimas. The Bearcats blew the game open early, getting a 47-yard touchdown pass quickly followed by a 51-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Jacob Karim. Then a safety, a 57-yard touchdown pass and a 93-yard touchdown run by Jake Payton — who transferred from the Saints a few weeks prior — put the game out of reach. San Dimas cut the deficit to 26-13 in the third quarter, but another 10-yard touchdown pass with five minutes to go sealed it.
Two Minute Drill: 2013 preGame
2013 Hightlights
Varsity Bearcats
Amir Ainsworth, Jonathan Aleriano, Marc Anthony, Cody Brazzill, Daniel Burgess, Christopher Cedeno, Cristian Cobian, Richard Cochran, Matthew Couch, Colin Davis, Dimas Diaz, Tanner Diebold, Brandon Fraijo, Cruz Garibay, Daniel Gelalich, Nicolas Grana, Anthony Greco, Joseph Halabrin, Ryan Hickey, Darren Ireland, Boston Jenkins, Jacob Karim, Anthony Kingan, Robert Kosha, Brian Lancaster, Cameron Liscano, Rigoberto Lopez, Thomas Loy, Noah Loun, Brandon McLaurin, Seth McMinn, Christian McQueen, Steven Medina, Noah Montoya, Brandon Nicely, Bryant Odin, Christopher Ostashay, Edward Ostashay, Jake Pavton, Joshua Peifer, Alexander Ramos, Christian Ramos, Anthony Robert, Luis Rojas, Austin
Russell, Nathan medley, Brendan Smith, Trevor Soesman, Craig Soto, Ronald Heard, Taylor Trujillo, Joe Tolar
Smudge Pot Week
Smudge pot Week Smudge pot is the game we all look forward to every year. The week leading up to the main event was just as exciting. The dress week was based around our school colors. We will not forget the rally and bonfire that got us all pumped up and ready to cheer our Bearcat football players to victory. School pride was at its peak during Smudge pot week. This dress week started off with a bang as school spirits were high! Monday was wear green, black, and white attire, Tuesday was wear your “I BLEED GREEN AND WHITE” T-shirts, Wednesday was dress in camouflage day and finally Thursday, game day, was wear your Smudge pot T-shirt or make your own Smudge- pot T-shirt. It was exciting to see the amazing T-shirts our enthusiastic Bonita Bearcat student body made for this thrill- ing event. The week ended with a bonfire the night before the game. The varsity football team captains continued tradition by starting the fire. This was a time of laughter and smiles and also preparation for the game. The game day finally arrived, and we began the day with an extraordinary game day rally that put all of us in that determined mood to win. The game did not fail to be as exciting as we all expected! Just as expect- ed, the Smudge pot is back on Bearcat territory!
Smudge Pot Season Summary
Scoring a touchdown is the greatest feeling that an athlete can have during a big game. Playing under the lights was a first for many of the varsity players, though it still brought chills to the returning members. The Bonita football team overcame many obstacles but was still able to come out with many victories. Beating some of the highest-ranked teams in their league, the Bearcats wound up tied League Champions. Although their division was very tough, they were still able to compete in the first round of CIF. If it wasn’t for both the offense and the defense the Bearcats wouldn’t have been able to go as far as they did in the season. Making the plays, the offensive line was able to keep the other team’s defense off of our quarterback The defense was able to make the plays to keep the other team from scoring as many touchdowns as possible. The team was great all-around; based on the way that they progressed, the will be even better in the future.
The Bearcats fought hard all season. The season started off great beating San Dimas 31-13. The following week they beat a tough South Hills team 24-14. Unfortunately, the rest of the year was not as successful and the Bearcats finished with 6 wins and 4 losses. The final game was a tough loss to Diamond Ranch who was ranked 42 in the division, the Bearcats were leading most of the game only to fall toward the end of the fourth quarter. This team had an inseparable bond and really became a family this year. They could hang their hat on the fact that they would out-work and out-hustle any team they played. They always brought the pain when they played, earning themselves the nick-name Bangcats.
- Bonitas football captains: Noah Montoya, Thomas Loy, Jacob Karim, and Christian McQueen
- Completed the Season Ranked 11th in the San Gabriel Valley with a 6-4 record
All San Gabriel Valley First Team Offense
JAKE PAYTON, Senior, RB, Bonita
Payton makes the All-Area Team for the second consecutive season, this time in a Bonita a uniform. The senior rushed for 1,291 yards and 18 touchdowns. His best performances came in the biggest games, as evidenced by his 221 yards and six total touchdowns vs. Los Altos. Payton also rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns against South Hills, Glendora, West Covina and Diamond Ranch. Payton was named all-Hacienda League for his efforts.
All San Gabriel Valley First Team Defense
THOMAS LOY, Senior, LB, Bonita
Loy was a tackling machine for the Bearcats and led the area in tackles with 160. Loy also recorded 7 1/2 sacks and had 13 quarterback hurries. Loy recorded double-digit tackles in nine of the Bearcats’ 10 games this season. He was named co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Hacienda League.
Second Team Defense
- DL — Christian McQueen, Bonita, Sr.
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Varsity Saints
Mike Zapata, Donte Palacio, Erick Ware, Nathan Alvarez, Noah Reep, Manny Elizalde, Daeshawn Carter, Jason Wallace, Marcus Reed, Jeremy Marquez, Daniel Jackson, Joseph Mayorga, Justin Lopez, Seth Haynes, Chris Salcido, Joshua Avila, Jesse Toro, Gabe Maldonado, Josh Aguilar, Mitchell Giles, Andres Sainz, Andrew Avila, Jared Trujillo, Diego Morales, Kaimana Rodriguez, Brandon Rodriquez, Josiah Erickson, Bobby Rios, Al Franco, Ricky Beltran, Marcus Colasuonno, Derek Kearns, Mbanefo Akpom, Blake Lowary, Jonah Phipps, Fidel Castro, Chris Rufus, Colin Rumbin, Fausto Martinez, Edward Siapno, Max Gonzalez, Jarell Sykes, Reece Alvarado, Nathan Reep, Joey Patton, Brett Browning, David Custodio, Dominic Cortez, Youssef Hanna, Cody Hanes
San Dimas Season Summary
- Finished Ranked 3rd in the San Gabriel Valley (10-4)
- Friday 9/27: Defeated Northview 41-7
- Friday 10/4: Defeated Wilson 58-7
- Friday 10/11: Defeated Baldwin Park 70-27
- Friday 10/18: Defeated Nogales 44-0
- Friday: 11/1: Defeated Covina 49-14
- Friday: 11/8 Defeated Pomona 49-6
- Valle Vista League Champions
2013 Mid Valley Southern Section CIF Champions
Round 1 Vs. Gabrielino (11/15)
- 48-6 victory for the Saints
- Joseph Mayorga scored 3 rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdowns (24 points) for 253 total yards. He rushed for 191 yards on 14 carries and caught one touchdown reception for 62 yards.
Round 2 Vs. San Marino (11/22)
- 56-28 victory for the Saints
- Fausto Martines rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries
- Joseph Mayorga rushed for 194 yards on 15 carries
Round 3 Vs. Arroyo (11/22)
- 61-28 victory for Saints
- Fausto Martinez rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns.
- Josh Aguilar made three receptions for 103 yards.
- Joseph Mayorga rushed for 194 yards on 15 carries. His 205 all purpose yards led the team.
San Dimas Beats Paraclete for Mid-Valley Division Title
San Dimas won its second CIF title in less than 5 years, by defeating Paraclete 20-14. Joseph Mayorga rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a dramatic 32 yard run with 27 seconds left in the game. “The line made it possible tonight,” Mayorga said. “We had a few mistakes, but that run, I just had to do it. I had to go full speed and I had to dot it.” The Saints rushing game was also powered by Fausto Martinez who ran from 165 yards. San Dimas finished the season with a 10 game winning streak.
As time was expiring, Paraclete had a chance to win the game on a 50 yard pass to the end zone but it was intercepted by Colin Rumbin to seal the victory.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” said San Dimas coach Bill Zernickow after the game. “We persevered. we went through some bad stuff 9this season). To be able to overcome that, I couldn’t be more proud.”
“(Paraclete) is a good football team. It was a struggle at time. (Their coach) had them really well-prepared. I’, glad it worked out the way it did.”
Ramirez, Stephen. “San Dimas beats Paraclete for Mid-Valley Division title”. San Gabriel Valley Tribune, December 6, 2013. Online Available
Tolegian, Aram. “Football: San Dimas’ offensive line is a big reason that Saints are playing for Mid-Valley Division Title”. Pasadena Star news, December 4, 20013. Online Available.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JOSEPHA MAYORGA, San Dimas, Sr.
As storybook endings go, it doesn’t get much better than the senior season San Dimas High School running back Joseph Mayorga had this fall.
Mayorga transferred to San Dimas in late spring, was stuck behind an entrenched star and was merely trying to find where he fit in. By the time it was all said and done, he was the headline act scoring the game-winning touchdown in a CIF championship game.
For his efforts, Mayorga is the 2013 Tribune Player of the Year and the first player in Saints history to win the award.
“Of course, it’s an honor,” Mayorga said. “And I appreciate it. But I have to give thanks to my offensive line and the whole team. Without them, I wouldn’t be anything. I consider it a great honor to be the Player of the Year. It’s all hard work.”
At 5-foot-6 and just under 170 pounds, Mayorga was far from a bruiser. Instead, he used instincts and quickness to become one of the most dynamic runners in the area. Mayorga finished with 1,869 yards rushing. None of his 18 touchdowns were bigger than the very last one of his career.
Mayorga scored on a 32-yard touchdown run with 27 seconds left to break a 14-14 tie with Paraclete in the Mid-Valley Division championship game and send the Saints to a 20-14 win and the school’s second CIF title in five years.
It was the culmination of nearly a lifetime’s worth of hard work for Mayorga and being in the right place at the right time.
Mayorga transferred to San Dimas from San Gabriel toward the end of his junior season. With standout Jake Payton still on the roster at the time, the Saints already had a featured back to go with other experienced ball carriers in Fausto Martinez and Manny Elizade.
There was really no fit for Mayorga, who originally tried his hand at fullback in San Dimas’ Wing-T offense. When Payton decided to transfer, the logjam of ball carriers cleared up a little bit. But still, Mayorga had a lot to learn going from San Gabriel’s spread offense to San Dimas’ wing.
“They left me at fullback for the first game and after that first game, the mindset of the coaches completely changed because they knew we needed a change,” Mayorga said. “That’s when they kind of switched us around. They figured out that Manny was a better blocker and that I was more of a natural runner.
“They were playing with a puzzle and trying to find the right pieces to go together.”
San Dimas started 0-4, but the Saints were gradually gathering steam despite what the scoreboard said. Once they began Valle Vista League play against Northview, Mayorga gave the team the spark it needed to rattle of 10 consecutive wins.
Against Northview, Mayorga ran for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He had other big games, but was saving his best for the playoffs when he’d put on a performance for the ages.
In four postseason games, Mayorga rushed for 765 yards and seven touchdowns. Some players are lucky to do that in an entire season. His biggest performance came in the semifinals against Arroyo when he helped San Dimas advance with a 337-yard and four touchdown effort.
The championship game against Paraclete was yet another huge moment in which Mayorga delivered. The game-winning touchdown was part of a 157-yard and two-score performance. It was also the perfect closing scene to what had been a storybook season.
At this time last year, nobody could have imagined that Mayorga would carve himself a special place in Valley history. But that’s exactly what happened and Mayorga has a real simple way to describe it.
“It was a dream come true,” he said. “It couldn’t have worked out any better.”
COACH OF THE YEAR: BILL ZERNICKOW, San Dimas
Zernickow picked up his second CIF championship by leading the Saints to the Mid-Valley Division title. It’s the school’s second championship in five years. It didn’t come easy as San Dimas had to deal with the transfer of its top returning player, a school investigation of the coaching staff regarding allegations of providing players with banned substances, which resulted in no wrong-doing and an 0-4 start. Despite all that, Zernickow’s Saints reeled off 10 consecutive wins and also won the Valle Vista League.
First Team Offense:
JARED TRUJILLO, Senior, OL, San Dimas
Looking for a major reason why San Dimas ran over the competition all the way to the Mid-Valley Division title? Look no further than Trujillo, who makes the All-Area Team for the second consecutive season. Trujillo helped pave the way for San Dimas’ devastating ground attack, which averaged 363 yards per game rushing. Trujillo was named the Valle Vista League’s Lineman of the Year.
First Team Defense:
JOSIAH ERICKSON, Sophomore, LB, San Dimas
It wasn’t all offense that led San Dimas to a CIF championship. The Saints could also put the clamps on opponents and there was no bigger proof of that than Erickson, who piled up 140 tackles and four sacks. Erickson had games with double-digit tackles. He finished with 14 tackles for loss and was named all-Valle Vista League.
Second Team Offense
- OL — Mike Zapata, Sr., San Dimas
Smudge Pot Quotes
""I really liked how our guys kept fighting," San Dimas coach Bill Zernickow said. "I was proud of that, but really, they are a really good football team. We're not there yet." Bill Zernickow 2013"
Bills Zernickow | Coach
