MidValleySports.Com

Solomon runs through the Bearcat defense (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(West Covina) – With time winding down in the game, Chris Solomon added an exclamation point to a “statement game” that sent a message to all Southeast Division teams with a 98-yard kick-off return for a touchdown in West Covina’s 55-21 win over Bonita.

That message was crystal clear to all in attendance. The Bulldogs will out-muscle and out run any team that stands in its path to a CIF title run.

Solomon ran for 194 yards on just 12 carries and scored on runs of 20, 7, and 57-yards out to lead a demolishing ground game for West Covina.

The Bulldogs defense “bent” but didn’t break against a formidable Bearcat offense that had averaged 38 points a game had a hard time getting into the end zone the entire evening. Bonita had six attempts in the “red zone” and came away with one touchdown and two field-goals. West Covina also sacked Pendleton five times with Justin Meaders leading the charge with three.

Running back Charles Tucker got things started for the Bulldogs midway through the first half with a five-yard run. The drive milked 3:45 of clock on nine physical plays for the West Covina offense.

After going four and out on the very next possession, Bonita punted the ball to Solomon. Two Bearcats hit Solomon and jarred the ball loose with Austin Venegas coming away with football at the Bulldogs 34-yard line.

Two plays later, Giomani Johnson dove in from one-yard out to tie the score. Bonita set up the drive with a “flea-flicker” with Garrett Pendleton finding Garrett Horine on a 33-yard pass completion.

Bonita would add a field-goal early in the second quarter from Brandt Davis to get its only lead of the game from 22-yards out.

On the ensuing kick-off West Covina speedster B.J. Lee ran back an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs all the momentum for the remainder of the game.

With the score 21-13 and the Bearcats driving, Anthony Molina tipped the ball to himself at the West Covina 16-yard line to intercept Pendleton. Molina found himself in the end zone 84-yards later for touchdown to extend the Bulldogs lead.

Lee and Solomon continued the Bearcats misery with two scores in the third quarter to blow open the contest.

The win for the Bulldogs now sets up a marquee match-up next Friday night as they travel to Ganesha H.S. and face Diamond Ranch for the Hacienda League title.

Lee out ran the kick coverage. Photo by Anne Cypress