…They know the Bearcats have not been to a title game since Larry Hatley’s squad took it all in 1999.
We know Hatley went on to be the head coach at Rosemead…and we know the names of the stars; DeAndre Belin, Riccardo Stewart, quarterback Sean Abkarian, and kicker Zach Bussey.
Did you know the 1999 title came 30 years after the Bearcats last title appearance?
On December 12th, 1969 all eyes in the southland were on the Coliseum. Bishop Amat led by Pat Haden and J.K. McKay were playing a classic against the Blair Vikings and the Blair Pair: Kermit Johnson and James McCalister.
But on the same night at Mt. Sac, South Pasadena and Bonita were meeting in the 3A CIF title game. The clash between the Tigers and Bearcats was the first since a 1942 match up in the first round of the playoffs. In that game Glenn Davis, yes that Glenn Davis, led Bonita to an easy 42-13 victory. The Bearcats would go on to win it all a few weeks later with a 39-6 victory over Newport.
While 28,000 were on hand to watch Blair defeat Amat (think about that) far fewer saw South Pasadena score a 10-0 victory over previously unbeaten Bonita.
The Bearcats powerful running game, led by Allen Carter, was turned away several times as they bogged down repeatedly in the red zone.
The title was the Tigers fourth in 13 seasons under Head Coach Ray Solari…while Bonita would have to wait three more decades for another title shot.
Bonita Finals:
1929: Orange 13 Bonita 0
1942: Bonita 39 Newport 6
1944: Bonita 12 Calexico 6
1945: Bonita 26 Central 7
1949: Point Loma 27 Bonita 14
1969: South Pasadena 10 Bonita 0
1999: Bonita 24 Brea Olinde 14
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…And West Covina?
1965
The Spartans, as they were then called (clad in blue jerseys), scored on the second play of the CIF 3A Finals at Mt. Sac against Crespi. Quarterback Ken Weidemann went 56-yards down the center of the field to halfback Don Yax for the game’s only touchdown. West Covina 7 Crespi 0 on December 17, 1965.
WestCo HC Mal Eaton had reached the playoffs in each of the previous six seasons.
Note: Spartan defensive back Sandy Durko recovered a key fumble late in the contest. Durko would go on to a four year NFL career after starring at USC as a cornerback for three seasons.
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1971
On December 17th, 1971 West Covina lost in its second title appearance, 14-0, to Kennedy High School and its talented running back Charlie Judge.
The Spartans, finishing 10-1-1, drove to the Kennedy 17 on the games opening drive but were pushed back from there. After Tom MacKenzie just missed on a 43-yard field goal WestCo was pretty much done for the night.
***
2004
On December 10th WestCo, now the Bulldogs, knocked off South Hills 19-8 at Mt. Sac. Walter Thurmond scored on a 69-yard run and fullback Kirk Cabana scored on a pair of short blasts to key the victory.
West Covina, which finished third in the San Antonio in 2004, in October lost to South Hills 17-10.
Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com
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