Smudge Pot 2015

This year’s varsity team had a great regular season. The team went 8-2, which has not been done at Bonita for a while. They were also able to defeat San Dimas at the Citrus Stadium claiming victory and the Smudge Pot. The team was fortunate enough to make it to CIF this year, they made it to the first round. Some of the rituals the team would do before a game would be eating a big dinner together provided by the team parents. Right before the game the boys would listen to music in the locker room together to get pumped for their game. The boys then walked to the field together and ran through a Bonita banner held up by Varsity Cheer. For every game they had won, the Varsity Football team would celebrate at Legend’s with all their friends. There they talked about their victory and would prepare themselves for next week’s game. The team’s very own Davon Jackson (11), said “The team would watch a film after a win to always help us find our mistakes, and be able to correct them so we could continue to win games. ‘ Bonita’s Football team is known for watching films to improve their playing. This years Varsity team had a great year and were proud to have played with their “brothers” under the Friday Night Lights.

Bonita Keeps the Smudgepot Home

The Smudge Pot is staying put for another year. Bonita High School’s football team took advantage of some costly San Dimas special-teams miscues to post a 28-7 win over the rival Saints at Citrus College on Friday night. Bonita has won three straight in one of the area’s most-heated series. “It’s always nice to beat your rival,” Bonita head coach Adrian Medrano said. “I can drive through the city of San Dimas right now and feel halfway comfortable.” Bonita improved to 4-0 this season while San Dimas fell to 2-2. For a while, it appeared the Saints had serious designs on changing the tide of the series. Then their punt team took the field. Leading 7-0 late in the first half, San Dimas was forced to punt from deep in its own territory. The snap was bad, the attempt to still kick the ball was feeble, and the Bearcats recovered at the 10. Moments later, Bonita quarterback Tanner East hooked up with receiver B.J. McLaurin on a 10-yard touchdown pass to send the game to halftime tied at 7-7. Late in the third quarter, San Dimas had more problems punting and turned the ball over to Bonita at its own 31 after a blocked kick. A short drive was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Brandon Bradshaw and Bonita led 14-7. “If we don’t make those mistakes, I think it’s a different ballgame and I think everyone kind of knows that,” first-year San Dimas head coach Mark Holman said. “We’re going to handle it tomorrow in film and we’re going to use it as a tool to get better.” Bonita’s defense came alive in the second half and at one point forced San Dimas to three consecutive three-and-out series. Meantime, the Bearcats offense was padding the lead and capped the scoring midway through the fourth quarter on a 43-yard touchdown pass from East to Jose Peifer. “We always say that the punt is the biggest play in football,” Medrano said. “Our offense was struggling tremendously in the first half, but our defense and special teams set us up to put the football in the end zone”.

“Smudge pot is always a really fun atmosphere and something I think every high school football player should experience. Our boys work extremely hard and put in a lot of time and effort for this for the game.” -Coach Medrano

And the smudge pot stays with the Bearcats!

Everyone in the La Verne community gathered together for the event. The crowd was cheering at the top of their lungs, the Bearcats in the student section rushed the field, and the boys all tackled each other in hugs. Varsity Football scored a triumphant win against the Saints in a tough game.

After 4 intense quarters, Bonita took home the Smudge Pot with a final score of 28-7.

For the third year in a row, Bearcats defended the beloved trophy and kept it on Bonita soil. Not a single Bearcat was without a smile after the win! Coach Adrian Medrano was ecstatic with the outcome of Smudge pot. “Obviously we’re very pleased with the result. We want to make sure that from a coaches’ standpoint we win. There are always big shoes to fill and a community that you want to please by winning the game.” Although the players work hard on the field, the football team takes it easy before the game.

“Before every game, we do a walk through and have a team meal together. I personally take a nap after our team meal to get ready for the game,” laughed Coach Medrano. Smudge pot has been going on since 1972 and is still one of the events that La Verne community looks forward to each year. Every aspect of the game is sure to be treasured memory for every Bearcat.

Game MVP: BJ McLaurin

Bonita receiver BJ McLaurin caught a ten yard touchdown pass in the second quarter

Scholar Athlete: Taylor Trujillo

Taylor Trujillo has stood out in the classroom for four years in addition to playing wide receiver and defensive back for the Bearcats. He is currently taking a rigorous schedule of AP English, AP Government & Economics, and AP Psychology. Taylor often volunteers his time at St. Julianna’s Church in Fullerton.

It’s Time for the Kickoff

San Dimas High School Football Rules

by Taylor Benedik

Under the direction of first year head coach Mark Holman, our boys in blue were able to finish second in league while outscoring their opponents 160-14 in their final three league games. The Saints made the CF playoffs and dominated throughout. We shut down our opponents and made it to the finals against Sierra Canyon. The boys played their hearts out and finished the season as CIF Mid Valley Division Runner-Ups. When original quarterback Ernest Guerrero broke his ankle in a preseason game, the team thought it would be a major setback. Thankfully, junior Joey Tamayo took over as starting quarterback and led the team through another great season. The boys had an amazing season filled with great memories. The hours and hours of practice and dedication paid off in the end. Their season is something to be proud of!

Fighting To The End

We take on the Bonita Bearcats

by Alexandra Villanueva

In this famous rivalry game, our SDHS Saints took on the Bonita Bearcats. Saints held their heads high while fighting every step of the way, but unfortunately came up short in a 28-7 loss. The build up to the big game started with Smudge Pot Week. Each day had its own theme: Tuesday – “Twin Day,” Wednesday – “Jersey Day,” Thursday – San Dimas gear, and finally, Friday – Saints school colors. When the game started the anticipation and excitement was unreal. The Saints look forward to taking back the Smudge Pot trophy next year.

Nathan is a 3-year varsity linebacker and 2-year captain where he plays both tight end and outside linebacker. In addition to being selected 1st team All-Valle Vista League. Nathan was also selected for the academic all-league team. Outside of school, Nathan is active at Calvary Chapel and plans to attend college and major in business. Nathan is the son of Chuck and Katrina Reep and has one older brother Noah who also played football at San Dimas High School.