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Giomani Johnson punches it in from one-yard for the game-winning touchdown. (Photo Anne Cypress)

(La Verne) – After going 11-years without a CIF Championship appearance, Bonita finds itself on the brink of another possible title after surviving a mistake filled semi-final win over La Serna 21-16.

Giomani Johnson, who shined last week in the Bearcats win against Muir, continued his incredible post-season performance with two crucial touchdowns that help Bonita get to the Southeast Division Finals.

The Bearcats took advantage of the Lancers inability to hold on to the ball and poor special teams play during the game.

In a game that was dominated by La Serna’s offense in the first half, Bonita held strong defensively having to withstand two long-tiring drives from the Lancers that resulted in only giving up seven points.

La Serna’s first drive was an omen for the Bearcat defense with a 13-play drive stalling at the Bonita 13-yard line. Travis Guerra came in to attempt a 31-yard field goal that was blocked by K.C. Huth and returned by Johnson for 60-yards.

After that the game never saw a flow for either offense with each having two possessions of three and out.

The Lancers finally responded with will-imposing drive that spanned 9:18 on 18 plays. The successful tandem of Andrew Buenrostro to Andrew Rosales would find the end zone on an 11-yard pass play to tie the score at seven with 1:09 remaining in the half.

Bonita would surrender the ball with 43 seconds remaining in the second quarter and allowed La Serna one last possession. Buenrostro masterfully ran the two-minute offense to near perfection allowing the Lancers one last shot at a field goal at the end of the half.

Guerra’s first attempted was wide-right, but was called back after the Bearcats were flagged for running into the kicker. That gave Guerra another shot, but this time from 32-yards away. As the ball was struck, Huth was able to get his body in front it and blocked his second kick of the night to send the teams deadlocked at seven into the intermission.

The usual high-octane powered Bearcat offense was on empty the entire first half with Garrett Pendleton and Company only seeing nine offensive plays and 2:17 of possession.

Both teams traded possession with the Lancers seemingly a big-play away from taking control when the tide turned when Bonita went to the “Wildcat” for three successive plays with Cameron Griffith that seemed to get the offense on track. Pendleton scrambled for 21 yards to set up a first and goal at the seven. Three plays later the Bearcats would score from 13-yards out on a slant from Pendleton to Garrett Horine.

La Serna would not go away quietly the rest of the night, but helped the Bonita along the way with uncharacteristic turnovers. The always reliable Richard Alvarez committed two turnovers in the second half.

With the Bearcats leading 14-9, the Lancers were backed up on its 9-yard line. Buenrostro went back to pass and fired a bullet over the middle that was read by Nick Berghoudian who jumped the route  and intercepted the pass at the La Serna 27, Berghoudian would return the ball to the one-yard line. One play later, Johnson would add his second touchdown to allow some breathing room.

The Lancers added a score late in the fourth quarter on Craig Jones fumble recovery in the end zone cutting the lead to five with 2:26 remaining in the game.

A subsequent onside kick was recovered by Bonita to end any hopes of a La Serna comeback.

Bonita now will get ready to face Hacienda League rival West Covina at a site to be determined with the Bearcats being the home team.

Berghoudian's interception set up Johnson's touchdown. (Photo Anne Cypress)