The 2000’s

After years of instability and inconsistent play from both Bonita’s and San Dimas’ football programs, in the 2000s each school hired new coaches who brought strong leadership, high character and great success to their respective teams. In 2000, Bonita hired Eric Podley away from Northview high school to start his 11 year run as Bonita’s head football coach. In 2004, San Dimas hired Bill Zernickow to lead the Saint’s to eventual CIF playoff glory and their first CIF Championship.

Eric Podley would win his first game as Bonita’s head coach in a 18 to 16 victory over San Dimas in 2000. He would go on to win 76 games between 2000-2011 and set the record for most Smudge Pot victories against San Dimas at 8 as Bonita experienced one of its most successful eras of football. Podley was widely respected by his peers for his unmatched work ethic, keen intelligence and innovative offensive schemes. Bonita Principal, Kenny Ritchie said about Podley, “As the head football coach, his attention to detail, rapport with his athletes and his leadership of coaches propelled him to success across many years.”

The 2002 Smudge Pot marked the seventh consecutive victory Bonita held over San Dimas. This is the largest streak of victories one of the teams has held over the others. The Bearcats lost the Smudge Pot in 2003. The 2002 Smudge Pot demonstrated the Bearcats’ perseverance and drive. Despite being down 7 points midway through the game, they pulled through, earning 17 points to cinch the lead 31-21. The last of these points was a valiant fumble recovery by Bearcat’s player, Daniel Arellano with 4:48 left in the final quarter.

During the 2003 Smudge Pot, the Bearcats were about to extend their winning streak into eight but were stymied by the Saints determination towards the end of the game. In 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. Bearcats player Johnny Cortez scored on the next play, tying the game 17-17. The next big play would determine the outcome of the game, and with twelve seconds left, Saints kicker Shawn Boaz managed to successfully kick a 20 yard field goal for the Saints’ 20-17 victory! San Dimas, quarterback Chris Salinas was 8 for 17 for 118 yards while Jonathan Houston rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries.

In 2004, San Dimas hired Podley’s former assistant coach at Northview, Bill Zernickow as their new coach. Zernickow would usher in the most successful period of football in the school’s history. Coach “Z” helped the Saints win their first CIF title in 2009 and won a second title in 2013. In eleven seasons at San Dimas, Zernickow compiled a record of 86-27, five final four appearances, and two CIF titles. Coach Z won four Smudge Pot games against cross town rival Bonita with his fondest memory being the 2007 game in which his team took the prized Smudge Pot from the Bearcats for the first time in 3 years. Zernickow’s teams were known for successfully running a variation of the Wing T offense.

The 2005 Smudge Pot game was thrilling and Bonita only won by one point with a minute left in the game. After Bonita’s Cole Sanders scored a 6 yd TD pass from quarterback, Jeff Chavez, the score was tied 33-33. It was all left to Bonita’s kicker Pablo Garay to determine whether Bonita would take home the Smudge Pot or leave it in the Saint’s hands. Garay ended up successfully kicking the ball, and with limited time left for the Saints to score, Bonita took the victory.

In 2007, Coach “Z” won his first Smudge Pot game as head coach for San Dimas. The Saints would defeat the Bearcats in a dominating 24-10 victory. Nico Barbone would run for 152 yards on 23 carries for the Saints. San Dimas’ stingy defense shutdown the Bearcats rushing game limiting them to one a yard on 16 carries. Bronze Withem led the Saints with 11 total tackles (5 solo and 6 assisted) while Chaz Tyler had 6 solo tackles. Drew Annas returned an interception for 25 yards and Chris Pace caused a fumble. Bonita’s offense was limited to their passing game with quarterback Terry  Paredez completing 12 out of 26 passes for 135 yards.

In 2008 the Saints had one of the most dominate offensive lines in the San Gabriel Valley powering a very effective rushing game under Coach Zernickow’s Wing-T offense. The O-line in the Smudge Pot game included left tackle Kyle Salm (6-foot-6, 285 pounds), left guard Ryan Doll (6-1, 235), center Joe Musgrove (6-1, 230), right guard Randy Hoskins (6-0, 225) and right tackle Garett Smith (6-4, 245).“We hate it anytime the quarterback gets sacked,” Smith said. The Saint’s blockers were known for their Pancake blocks that send the opposition flat on their backs, the ultimate embarrassment for the defense. “He (Salm) is right there with Garett Smith in pancake blocks,” Zernickow said before a Week 3 win. “One has 17 and the other has 18. This is the best one (offensive line) I’ve had in 10 years of coaching high school,” Zernickow said. “And they can be even better. They can be a lot better.” San Dimas rushed for 448 yards in the 50-33 Smudge Pot victory against Bonita. Daniel Joseph rushed for 212 yards on 12 carries while Nico Barbone rushed for 201 yards on 27 carries.

The Saints won the 2009 Smudge Pot 21-13, owing to their tight defense and team coordination. The third and final quarter were especially advantageous for the Saints, as they scored two touchdowns, placing them in the lead. 2009 also marked the year where the Saints won their first CIF championship. Despite only winning fourth league titles in school history, the Saints were able to secure their first CIF-SS Mid-Valley Division Championship in 2009 by defeating longtime rival Monrovia 12 to 7 in the title game .  The Saint’s would rush for 327 yards on 35 carries with Ryan Kohler leading the way with 108 yards on 16 carries.  The Saints defense sacked Monrovia 4 times (two by Juston Windrow), caused a fumble and had two interceptions (one by Ryan Kohler and the other by Kevin Kolbeck).